Hey everyone, Poke'boy24 here with the next chapter of Struggles of a Halfling as this where the Story truly gets started.
It case nobody knew the Song that was played in the last Chapter, it was 'Monster by Meg and Dia' only I removed a few lyrics to keep it short.
Remember I DON'T own the Elements of The Troop, Owl House, Level Up, Yugioh, Skylanders, Adventure Time, etc. as the only things I DO own are my OCs like Weslyn, Tantula Blaksilk, and the Rangers as their Images are up on my DeviantArt Gallery KidJuly24 so be sure to check them out.
I also DON'T own any Songs that may show up so now let get on with the Story!
Oh, and fair warning that this Chapter may contain a bit of Gore in it so if you're not a fan of that sort of thing, be sure to skip the scene that contain it.
Also, since some of the Spells will be spoken in either Ancient Latin, Elvish, or any other Language the this ( {Spell} ) will be that language since I'm not that good at Dialect.
Last thing since this chapter introduces the third main Charater Blasko, imagine that his voice is like Doug Funny from Nickelodeon Series Doug as that was a good show.
/ / / / /
"Where… Where am I…" Weslyn asked out loud as she wondered through a foggy void wondering where and how she even got here as she held her head as she was experiencing another severe headache that she usually gets after every time she blacked out. "Oh man~… Don't tell me I blacked out again~…" she nervously said to herself since she always wakes up in different locations with her body either battered and bruised and/or covered with thick liquid that smell a lot like copper except in a multitude of different colors.
"I walk a lonely road~
The only one I've ever known~
Don't know where its goes~
But it's home to me, and I walk alone~"
"W-Who is there?!" the young Halfling called out stuttering as she was feeling even more nervous as she heard a voice singing a song she heard on one of those big Black colored discs when she stayed a night in that closed down building which she believed in ancient times was called a 'Music Store' as she played a few of those discs on a Player with a big horn and hand cranks because in was the only thing that didn't blow up or burst into flames when she touched it since basically anything electronic or technological seems to just hate her since some of the Schools she been expelled from was mostly caused by a fire she accidently started when all she did was press the On-button of those things since all those highly advance Human/Alien stuff is extremely complicated to her. "It's a miracle on how I barely made it through Kindergarten or 1st Grade~" she muttered doubtfully since out of everyone in her Class, she was the only one who manages to get straight Fs while Art was her only good subject since she rarely gets Ds in that course while basically every Student and Teachers mock and harass her due to her having dissatisfying levels of intelligences with the Alien Teachers sneering at her since they say that they practically expected this from her kind. "Wonder what they meant by that since there're also Human Students that did okay in their courses?" she asked herself since her Teachers always seem to look at her with distaste as well venom in their voices whenever they verbally yell at her every time she'd fail a Test and/or an Exam, not that it really matters since she fail so many times that they don't even bother checking her work and just go ahead and fail her since they consider grading her a complete waste of their time as well brain cells.
"I walk this empty street~
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams~
Where the city sleeps~
And I'm the only one, and I walk alone~"
"P-Please c-come out, w-wherever y-you are!" she called looking around through the thick fog to find where the singing was coming from only to find nothing. "Maybe a little Light Spell is in order~" she muttered as she brought her hands together to create a Light-sphere only for some Eerie-black chains to burst up from beneath her as they latched around her wrists pulling them away. "W-What the-!" she didn't get to finished as more chains burst out with one set wrapping around her torso forcing her downward while another wrapped around her neck causing her to gag and choke as she chains coiled tightly around her small body before pulling back into the ground as they forced her against the ground with the restrains only getting tighter the more she tried to struggle.
"My shadow's the only one that walks besides me~
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating~
Sometimes, I wish someone out there would find me~
'Til then, I walk alone~"
Hearing the singer's voice clearer, Weslyn through her struggling managed to see a shadowy figure slowly walking towards her. "H~Help~…" she barely manage to squeak out as the chains around her neck were choking her restraining her voice as the mysterious figure stopped only a few steps away as the heavy fog conceal their identity as she saw Eerie-violet colored energy gathered in front of the figure as the energy took on the form of a Scythe as the figure wield the blade down towards her chest right where her heart is causing her eyes to widen in horrifying fear as the figure raised the blade upward. "N-No p-please!~…" she begged with tears leaving her terrified eyes only for the chains to choke her as the figure brought the blade downward into her chest!
/ / /Ch 5: A Slithering Encounter/ / /
"AAAAAA-AAAAAAAHHHHH! ! !~" Weslyn screamed as she as she sat up as she clenched her hands against her chest as she breathed heavily as she was covered in sweat while her eyes were wide with shock along with her pupils dilated as she slowly began to calm down before placing her hands onto her head as she brought her knees to her chest. "W-W-Was i-it a-all j-just a d-dream?..." she questions through fearful stuttering as she recalled some of the stuff she experiences like meeting real live Monsters and Demons before hugging herself since the last thing she remembered was being eaten by a giant Plant as well feeling massive volts of electricity that made the painful jolts those Electrical Aliens who used to constantly shock her just for laughs feel like a Taser-sting in comparison.
"Oh, you're finally awake which is great since you been out for nearly an entire day." A Male voice said causing her to look around as she realized that she wasn't in the Basement of her former home, but someone else's Living-room as she spotted small work area with a Table with multiple jars and bowls filled with different substances as well a large Crystal-ball the size of a Melon next to a hanging Bookshelf which caused her eyes to sparkle a little as she realized that she was in an actual Witch's House.
"Oh Magic-man! T-This is actually real!?" she exclaimed excitedly as she quickly got up only to trip onto the floor as she finally took noticed of herself wearing a White Nightgown as well the bandages wrapped around her body. "W-What the…" she trails questionably wondering where and/or how she got dressed in this.
"If you're wondering why you're covered in bandages, that's an easy answer since the Ranger's Medic Nessica and Lillie matched you which wasn't easy since you seemed to have had a long list of injuries. Didn't your parents ever take you to a Doctor to get healed up?" the Voice asked since his Roommate took him what been happening since she first came home with this Human child.
"Umm… No because every time I get hurt, Kai would either just yell about how stupidly irresponsible I am along with my twin Wesley while the School Nurses just tell me to walk it off while sneeringly saying something about my Species being incompletely unable to feel anything period." Weslyn said scratching her head since she still doesn't understand what every Alien Adult she'd meet meant about her kind or why they seem to downright hate and despise her for it since some of them don't seem to harbor any of those feelings towards her Ex-brother or any of the other Human Students, so why just only her? "Oh sorry, we didn't get each other's names. I'm Weslyn, may I ask who you might be?" she asked introducing herself with a small bow and curtsy since one of the Schools she got expelled from was a Girls Finishing School where she literally had etiquette smacked into her by the strict Mistresses.
"I'm Blasko Kid, and I got say that so far, you're the only Human I've come across that didn't try to shoot me in the head." The voice, now introducing himself as Blasko, said as the young Halfling continued to look around trying to find out where the voice was coming from. "Oh sorry, I made myself invisible just in case you tried to kill me like the last Human I looked after." Blasko said before suddenly appearing right in front of the Girl causing her to yep in surprise as she fell onto her butt.
Standing in front of her was a small Child-sized Lizard-looking creature as he is standing slightly crouched on his hind-legs as his skin was Teal-blue with three spines on the back of his head with Dark-blue frills and a long beak-like muzzle that has two Red Oval-shaped markings and well a Red chest/underbelly and tail that slightly brushed against the floor and a ridged Dark-blue sail going down his back as ending at his tail. His eyes were Chameleon-looking in appearance as they were Aquamarine with a Red ring as he also has four fangs protruding from his upper-jaw and four-digit clawed hands along with three-digit clawed feet.
"Whoa!~ Are you an actual Dragon!?~" the small Child asked with sparkles in her eyes since she always wanted to see real life Creature of Myth and Ancient Lore except Alien and Human Scientists just seems to enjoy killing the possible fantasy with their stupid logic as well their boring facts that completely ruins the joy and excitement of the moment.
"No, I'm not a Dragon, even if I do look like one and breathe fire like one, I'm actually a Beast-type Demon, Dragonian Lizard Demon to be more precise." Blasko said before noticing her confused expression, as well as the Mana-made question mark that seems to have appear over her head, before sighing as he breathed out a small puff a smoke from his maw. "I'll explain later, but right now I should let Tantula know that you're awake." He said as he started walking towards the window before stopping to look back towards her. "Another thing Human, DON'T touch anything okay since none of these items are toys as some of them can be pretty dangerous." He warned with a serious tone before pushing the window open and leaped out leaving Weslyn standing there as she gain a questioning expression.
"What's a… toy?" she questioned tilting her head while scratching it a little wondering what he was even talking about before shrugging her shoulders before noticing her Bag laying by the couch as walked towards it and opened before taking out the Book that brought her here. "Okay Ancient Tome, just where exactly did you take me?" she asked before sitting on the floor with her legs crossed as she opened the pages before stopping upon the very riddle diagram she read in the Library.
Turning to the next page, she read what was written. "{You solved the puzzle meaning that you are quite clever but beware the dangers and future endeavor. For here in my Home Realm there are those who greedily seek power, as the knowledge within this Tome may bring upon a Realm's darkest hour. So remember this warning for this is a must, don't ever be disregardful of those whom you might trust.}" she read before widening her eyes in shock as she looked upon the diagram labeled Solego Circuit with the words DANGER and TRUST NO ONE as well as BEWARE written in big bold letter as well underlined while the diagram shows a single large sphere connected with multiple smaller spheres through fondle-tubes.
Seeing the diagram caused her to remember one of her Cosmology lessons about multiple Dimensions as well Dimensional Duplicity as the theory of possible timelines as well the existence of multiverses created by a series of events which may have been cause by a single small decision and/or similar realities but with slight differences like opposite personalities or events having a different outcome.
"O-O-Oh M-Man!~ hss~ Oh man brain hurts so bad~" Weslyn hissed clenching her head in pain as she took some breathes to ease the headache she'd given herself from just remembering that subject since complex thinking, as well her past head injuries, causes her to experience headaches as she rubbed her temple until the pain finally subsided. "Okay enough of that, what do you have… OH, a section about Demon Types. Might as well learn what I can about these Demons if I'm going to be living with them." She started before finding a section of the Tome that was a Species Category as she skipped to that section and began reading.
/ / /
In the Forest, Frisk and Trench were looking at the remains of a Droll Bird except this bird is all skin and feathers but no bones or organs.
"You're right Trench, that Creature you, Huffer, and Echo found in that Mine is defiantly a Slithering Fanged Bantoo." Frisk said as he took a closer look and identified the fang markings that her along the dead Bird's belly.
"Great, Titan this is just great!" Trench growled as he rubbed his clawed hand against his forehead. "I'm starting to agree with Huffer since some people just don't seem to take our warning signs seriously!" he huffed in frustration since by the time him and his Co-workers made it to the Mine, they were horrified to see that the boarded entrance was opened up as well dozens of blood soaked corpses of the Workers as their entire insides were sucked out as well tracks and blood trails created by something big as whatever it was slither/crawled all over the area showing that it was also very quick.
"We can worry about Corporate greed later since right now we have a very hungry Predator that's going on a feeding frenzy." The Dragonfly Demon stated with a grim gleam within his eyes since one of the Companies waiting to re-open that Mine have ignored their warning and had sent a bunch of people to their deaths before turning towards the Beast-type Demon. "Trench try locating the Bantoo with your Seismic View since there's a possibility that it may be traveling above or below ground." He instructed as the Aardvark-demon nodded before closing his eyes.
Focusing as well channeling his Earth-based Aura, his raised his right arm before swiftly jamming his hand against the ground as his Aura pulsed through beneath the area as he gains a mental seismic-image as his eyes snapped open. "It's moving fast but I managed to pinpoint it heading towards the Picnic-area which is where Stings and Bushwhack are." He said as his Director nodded.
"Thank you, I'm going to see if I can find it from the air so I can stall it while you head over there and evacuate- TRENCH GET DOWN! ! !" Frisk started before yelling as he shoved his fellow Ranger down just as something tried to pounce-strike him from behind.
"Cliiiii~AAAAEEEEESSSSS! ! !~" A creature screech/hissed as the two Rangers got into fighting stances.
"It's the Slithering Fanged Bantoo!" Frisk exclaimed identifying the creature.
"Great Behemoth shit, that's one big ugly Bug!" Trench added as he saw this kind of Predator for the first time.
The Slithering Fanged Bantoo is a giant Centipede-like Monster that stands 4ft tall when lifting its upper-body upward as well 40ft long with a Blackish-crimson exoskeleton and a Dusty-yellow underbelly as it has glowing Golden colored eyes on top of its wide flat head as well said to have over 4,000 legs as well true to its namesake as it has 24 large fangs consisting a total of two curved forcipules protruding from the side of its upper-jaw with twelve fangs between them and five sets of mandibles that stretched outward as it screeched as its long barbed fork-tongue lashed out.
Eyeing its prey, the Centipede Monster strikes at them again with such swiftness they barely managed to dodge.
"Careful Trench, these Bantoos are known for the quick strike time as well their potent venom!" the Dragonfly-demon warned since these Creature are quick and deadly.
"Well, let see if it's quick enough to avoid this!" the Aardvark-demon growled while trying to avoid its venomous forcipules before tearing out its tongue.
"Cliiii~EEEEEEEESSSS! ! !~" the Bantoo screeched pulling its upper body back giving the larger Ranger the opportunity to jam his clawed hand deep into its throat causing it to hiss as it gargled up blood and bile as it tried piercing him with its forcipules.
"Trench, get back!" Frisk ordered as the Beast-type Demon shoved the giant Insect onto its back. "{Inferno Gust!}" he called in old Latin as his wings heated up with Fire-magic while rapidly beating them as he created a large vortex powered by Wind-magic as the flaming vortex circled around the enormous Centipede-monster.
"Cliiii~EEEEAAAAASSSS! ! !~" The Bantoo screech/hissed as it rose its body upward as the wall of the vortex started closing in.
"Time to skewer this pest, {Terra-strike!}" Trench exclaimed channeling his Earth-magic as his stomped he foot against the ground sending a pulse underground towards the vortex…
SQU-EEEESSH! !~
"CLIII~AAAAASSSSS! ! !~"
…a large spike made of stone punctured upwards through the Bantoo skewering it in place as it shrieked out as the Fire/Wind Spell enclosed around engulfing it as it slowly burned to death.
"Well, that was easy, thought you said this Creature was dangerous." Trench said a little smugly while crossing his arms as he looked towards his Director.
"That because that was only one out of an entire Nest." Frisk said as he watched his flames die down showing the charred remains of the Insectoid Predator. "Back when I was still a Field-ranger before I even became Director, me and my Team from back then dealt with these Slithering Fanged Bantoos when they first smuggled here by rouge Beast-hunters." He started as flashes from the event resurfaced.
Tracing a Reddish-Orange Spell-circle, the Ranger Director used a Viewing-spell to show his Co-worker in very graphic detail as he began telling his tale from back then.
"Back then, we've busted up a major Animal Smuggling Operation that was set up right where the Mine was as we've managed to arrest some of the Operatives while the rest have managed to escape with a single crate." He said as imagery of his as well some of the other Rangers predecessors taking down as well capturing some of the Hunters while the Medics of the team tended to the Animals that were severely wounded during their captivity.
"Okay so you managed to arrest some of these people while a few got away with a single crate so what." The larger Demon said shrugging his shoulders since he doesn't see what the problem was since some Rouges do manage to slip away time from time.
"True that they got away, sadly they didn't get far because the next day we've located their camp while doing patrol but me, Stings, and our partner Silini were horrified by what we've found." Frisk grimly said as the memory scene changed to show a younger him, Stings, and a Pixie with Cherry-red hair looking upon the remains of the Camp as well what was left of the escaped Rouges. "As well looked upon the blood-soaked bodies, I noticed that all what was left were piles of skin and torn clothes while Silini spotted the crate." He added as the scene showed his Pixie teammate motioning towards past him and Stings to come towards the crate only for something within it to strike her from behind.
"WHOA!" Trench exclaimed startled as he watched the Female Ranger screaming as a smaller version of the Centipede that they just killed pieced her shoulders with its forcipules ejecting venom before using its five sets of mandibles to tear open her back as blood poured out causing her to scream more before the carnivorous Insect's forked/barbed tongue pierced through her torso lashing around before slicing her throat before it started regurgitating what could possibly be stomach bile into her body causing it to sag and slightly bloat like she was being filled with liquid as the Insect-monster started sucking out her insides before Stings killed it by piercing its head with an Electro-blade he manifested from his upper-wrist using his own Mana while Past-Frisk pulled her out of its mandibles only to watch as she slowly died as dissolved remains of her skeleton and organs oozed out from her back where it struck her.
"After killing that Bantoo me and Strings peered into the crate and were shocked to see that it was filled with multiple eggshells meaning that there were more Bantoos out there." The Dragonfly stated though there was a slight tear in his eye from having to re-watch his fellow Ranger getting killed before the scene changed the rest of the Rangers forcing/leading a bunch of the other newly hatched Bantoos into the Mine. "After we reported out findings, as well the demise of Silini, Director Bitterroot interrogated the Hunters where we've learned that they were smuggling a dozen Slithering Fanged Bantoo eggs as those hungry newborns have been eating anything and anyone they could sink their fangs in as they've killed over 37 Town Residents from Children to Elderly as we've lost three more Rangers before sealing them away." He added as the scene showed Director Bitterroot, a Humanoid Plant-monster, shift his arms into thorny whips as he lashed at the inside of the entrance to an isolated chamber where they've led the Bantoos into causing the ceiling to collapse as they then boarded up the main entrance showing just why it was boarded up in the first place.
"But why seal them in the first place, why not killed them if they were so dangerous to begin with?" the Aardvark-demon questioned as the Viewing-spell ended as well now understanding why he wanted him, Huffer, and Echo to check the Mine since it was basically a cage before his Director looked directly at him with serious expression.
"Because back then, the Bantoos were smaller meaning that they were also much faster and more agile that we couldn't catch or kill them so all we could have done at the time was trap them as we even requested to the Coven Council to forbid the Mine from ever being used again." He stated since the Mine was the only place where they could trap the invasive Specie but couldn't allow people to continue working in case they ever got out of the Chamber. "But it seems some people would rather ignore the warnings and sacrifice their underlings just to satisfy their own greed." He added since now the Bantoos are out and attacking again. "Now you head over towards the Picnic-area since from what recall these Bantoos would scurry to an abundant food source while I take to the air in case some have decided to separate from the horde." He instructed as he prepared to take off.
"Wait, I get Stings has some experience having fought this Centipedes before but Bushwhack is still too green since him as well as Echo only been in our Ranks for hardly two years." Trenched said concern for the Tree-elf since he's still technically new to the Rangers.
"Oh, you won't have to worry too much since Bushwhack will know what to do since he has fought against Centipede-monsters back in his Home-forest." The Insect-demon assured since he has complete fate in the Elf's ability to handle these Bantoos as they both head off in opposite directions.
/ / /
Meanwhile at the Picnic-area, many Demons and Monsters were enjoying their activities from a few Couples dating to Children playing as well as Families just coming out to enjoy the great outdoors as both Stings and Bushwhack were hanging up in the trees keeping an eye out for anything as well to make sure nobody stays too far from the area.
"Hey Stings, I've been meaning to ask, but what is up with Frisk wanting to keep that Mine closed?" the Tree-elf asked his Senior since the Dragonfly-demon had been pretty agitated lately with a bunch of Corporations wanting to buy the Mine as well re-open it.
"Bzzt-bzzt, Bzzt-bzzt-bzzt-bzzt-bzzt" the Wasp-demon answered telling the younger Ranger that some things are better left unsaid. "Bzzt-bzzt-bzzt" he added in a low voice saying that some things from the past are better left buried.
"""""AAAAA-AAAAAAAHHHHH! ! !"""""
The loud panicking screams of the Citizens below quickly caught the two Ranger's attention as Stings was horrified while Bushwhack was shocked as they saw six Slithering Fanged Bantoos attacking the area as well starting to feast upon the ones they've caught in their manibles.
"Great Mother Gaia! And I thought the Centipedes back home were nasty." The Tree-elf said before channeling his Forest-green Mana between his hands as it formed into a Battle-axe. "Time to do a little Pest-control!" he declared as he leaped down towards the Forest-floor.
"HELP!~ Somebody HELP!~" hearing a child crying for help, he saw that one of the Bantoos about to strike a young Demon-boy.
Tracing a Spell-circle, Bushwhack quickly called out his Spell. "{Seed Bomb!}" he called in his Native Elvish Language while thrusting his palm against the Spell-circle as a barrage of Seeds was launched towards the Bantoo.
Bang~Pow~Boom~Pow~Ka-bang~Boom!~
"Cliiii~EEEEEEAAAASSSSSS! ! !~" the Insectoid Predator screeched as its face was pelted by exploding Seeds causing it to pull its head back giving the Elf Ranger the chance to leap in front as he knocked it back with several whacks with his Mana-axe.
"Run Kid, get out of here now since things are going to get messy." He instructed the Child as he nodded before running towards his Parents before turning his attention back towards the Creature in front of him. "Now to fix that ugly mug of yours." He said getting the Centipede-monster to screech while flexing its fanged forcipules and mandibles as its tongue swiped out and charged right towards him.
"Cliii~AAAAAAASSSSSS! ! !~" the Bantoo screeched as it attempted to strike the Tree-elf's head only for him to block the strike as he jammed the duel-sided blade into its maw before pulling it over his head forcing it onto its back causing to hiss as it tried to coil itself back onto its feet only for his to manifest a Hatchet as he began hacking away on its exposed underbelly.
"One thing I know about Centipedes, while the top-part of their bodies may be covered with a thick Carapace, but the under-belly of their Exoskeleton is weaker." He said out loud as he continued to hack at the Bantoo's weak area as his Energy-blade managed to break through exoskeleton as blood seeped from the gashes.
"Cliiii~EEEEEEEESSSSS! ! !~" the Centipede-monster screeched/hissed as it trashed around knocking Bushwhack off as well getting itself back onto its feet as it clicked its manibles as it screeched before striking again…
POW~Splatter!~
… only for its head to explode as the Elf got covered with droplets of blood before turning his attention upward to see Stings hovering above him with his hands still sparking with electricity. "Thanks Stings, these Centipedes are a lot tougher than I thought." He said only for his ears to twitch as he turned around to see another Bantoo crawling directly towards him.
"Bzzt-BZZT!" the Wasp-demon buzzed telling the younger Ranger to duck as he grasps his surging hands together as he launched an Electric pulse field hitting the Bantoo.
"Cliiii~ EEEEAAAAASSSS! ! !~" the Centipede-monster screeched/hissed as its entire body sparked with electricity causing its joints to lock up as well its movement to stall while Bushwhack…
Swi~LAAAASSSHH! !~
… took the opportunity to create another Mana Battle-axe as he swung upward slicing off the Invasive Predator's head as its decapitated body fell to the ground as its blood gushed and stained the ground.
"Again, thanks." The Tree-elf said looking at his senior while wiping the blood off his face before both of them heard the remaining Bantoos screeching as they began chasing the remaining Citizen that were fleeing. "Oh no you don't, {Rock Wave!}" he yelled as he slammed his Axe into the ground sending a pulse of Earth-magic directly towards the Centipede-monsters as a large wave of rocks erupted in front of them knocking three of them back while the fourth one's head was pieced through by a sharp rock as it bleeds to death.
"""Cliii~EEEEEEEEAAAAASSSSS! ! !~""" the three remaining Bantoos screeched as they were denied food before turning their attention onto the Ranger.
"Three down, and three left. Think we can handle it?" Bushwhack asked Stings as both were starting to sweat a little from Mana-exhaustion.
"Bzzt-bzzt-bzzt Bzzt-bzzt" the Wasp-demon said while beating his wings to regenerate his Electric-magic since these Bantoos were more difficult to deal with than they were decades ago. "Bzzt-bzzt-bzzt-bzzt" he added instructing the younger Ranger to aim for the mouth since the Bantoos are weaker on the inside than they are outside.
"Yeah, these Centipedes are defiantly much tougher than what I'm used to." The Elf said since his Hatchet had barely managed to break through their under-belly.
"""Cliiii~EEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS! ! !~""" the three Bantoos screeched as they rapidly charged towards the Rangers who were prepared to fight these Carnivores even if it cost them their own lives.
"{Terra-strike!}" A voice exclaimed as three stone pillars blasted up out of the ground knocking the Bantoos back as the Tree-elf and Wasp-demon turned their attention to see Trench running towards them. "Frisk sent me to help you two since it seems you've managed to deal with half their numbers." He said noticing the three Bantoo corpses before turning his attention towards the younger Ranger. "He also said that you know how to deal with Centipede-monsters, so what do we do now." He asked as the Bantoos were nearly back on their feet.
"Try and knock them onto their backs since their under-belly is weaker than to rest of them since I don't think we can target their mouths without being injected with their possibly potent venom since I've never encountered this type of Species before." Bushwhack informed since their efforts with dealing with these Invasive creature has to be both direct and cautious.
"That's all I needed to know, {Tremor-blast!}" the Aardvark-demon said before slamming both his clawed hands into the ground as he blasted a huge pulse of his Elemental-magic within…
RUMBLE~RUMBLE~BOOOOOOM! ! ! ! !~
… causing the entire area to shake and quake circling under the Bantoos before a enormous underground explosion blasted them all upward.
"""Cliiiiii~EEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS! ! ! ! !~""" the three Centipede-monsters screeched as they fell into the ground as parts of their incredibly long bodies were buried under piles of dirt and rubble.
"Now, strike them before they can crawl their way out!" the Tree-elf exclaimed as they each targeted a single Bantoo with him leaping upwards and swinging his Axe downward slashing/crushing through his Bantoo's throat/neck which splatter blood over him.
"Bzzt-bzzt-BZZT!" Stings buzzed as he pinned the upper non-buried part of his Bantoo as his compound-eyes glowed with anger for all the deaths and destruction these creatures caused both today as well back then as he unsheathed his stinger and stabbed it into its exposed under-belly as he rapidly beat his wings generating his natural electricity through his stinger and into the larger Insectoid.
"Cliii~AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSS! ! !~" the Bantoo screeched/hissed as its entire body was being electrocuted from the inside as blood seeped out through its exoskeleton and carapace until…
BA-BOOM~Splatter!~
… its under-belly exploded outward sending splatters of blood and other body fluids all around it as well covering the Insectoid Ranger.
"Alright ugly, you should've stayed in that Mine!" Trench exclaimed standing on top of the last Bantoo who screeched and flexed its mandibles at him as he quickly jabbed his clawed hand into its mouth piercing through its head killing it but not before it bites his forearm with one of its forcipules. "AAAA-AAAAGGGHH! ! !" he cried out pulling his arm out before falling backwards as he held his arm which felt like it was burning.
"Trench?!" Bushwhack called hearing his other senior Ranger grunting out in pain as he ran over and noticed the huge sore causing his eyes to widen before quickly turning towards Stings. "Stings, call Frisk and tell him that Trench been pricked, and we need an Anti-venom!" he said hastily as the Beast-demon continued to groan in discomfort meaning the venom was already taking affect.
"Bzzt-bzzt!" the Wasp-demon buzzed before calling for a Bird-Walkie to inform his Team's Director as well oldest friend about the situation they're in.
/ / /
Meanwhile back at Tantula's House, Weslyn was still reading her Book before turning to the next page.
"WHOA!" she screamed out falling backwards and dropping the book as she pulled herself back up taking deep breathes to calm her heart rate before picking the book back up. "Oh man~ And I thought the Aliens and Criminals back home were terrifying~" she said with a scared sliver running up her spine though she never actually seen some of them in person, she had hear about them from the live News feed since crowds are always knocking/pushing her down due to her small size so she lets her imagination describe them using what little details she could hear over the loud spectators as she recalled some.
First there was Dr. Animuck?… Arnimoo?… Unibo?... Dr. something who has a body of an extinct Gorilla as well a disembodied and disfigured head in a pickle jar.
Next there was Zubimbo?… Zombooboo?... Subazoon?... Whose supposes to be some disgustingly horrifying Zombie Clown that's possibly looks like the Zombies on some old Posters she found meaning that he must look like a rotting corpse or something contently bleeding or peeling dead skin?
And finally, there was that Guy wearing that metal mask that seems to drain the life out of his victims like a parasite as he's probably hiding a hideous Leech or Lamprey-like head with a wide gapping mouth as he gasps for air as well possible mouths on his palms since some of his victims has a circular marking which looks similar to the bite mark of a Leech/Lamprey.
"Eeee~eeeewww~" she discomfortably shivered having crept herself out by the thought of what some of those Psychos may have probably looked like. "If those people don't get executed for their crimes, then they should probably be executed for general unpleasantness." She added having heard from the streets that these people had committed unforgivable acts against both Human and Alien kind yet they somehow always seems to manage to escape custody which may her start to think that Alien's so called superior advance technology may not be so superior after all as she start recalling those Bullies who always taunt and/or mocked her or how her own Brother would always rubbed his success into her face along with saying how he could even be related to a complete Failure and Disgrace to his family as he doesn't and never even once consider her his sister.
Shaking her head to get rid of the negative thoughts of her old life, she looked down towards the page she was on. "Slithering Fanged Bantoo, whoa that guy defiantly lives up to his name." she said to herself as she looked down at the diagram about the Creature's physical appearance like height, length, and weight, as well stuttering at the thought of ever encountering one since this mega-sized Centipede could easily devour her like those Lizard Aliens who're literally living bottomless pits. "Oh, oh man gross~" she moaned slightly gagging as she read that these Creatures use their fangs to latch onto their prey before injecting them with a potent paralyzing venom before using it barbed fork-tongue to slice an opening while lashing its tongue around to break bone and mince organs followed by regurgitating its own stomach fluids to dissolve the bones and organs before sucking the prey's entire inwards out leaving nothing but a pile of blood soaked skin.
Quickly getting up to find a trashcan to vomit in as she accidently imagined a real Bantoo feeding, she was completely oblivious to the knowledge that a bunch of these Creatures outside as one was currently crawling its way towards her.
/ / /
In another part of the Forest, Tantula was out gathering natural Herbs and other ingredients for her homemade Elixirs.
Rustle~rustle~
Hearing the sounds of rustling within the undergrowth of the Forest, the Amazonia-witch stopped and drew here Dagger…
"Cliiii~EEEEEESSSSS! ! !~"
… and slid downward onto her back to avoid and jammed her Dagger into the Bantoo's under-belly slicing down through 4ft of its length causing it to hiss out in pain before restraining it with a Binding-spell as it struggled to get lose.
"Hehe~ Looks like I still got it." She said with a light chuckle with her lower-hands placed on her hips as she started walking towards the head of the Centipede-monster while taking out two empty bottles from her Satchel. "The next ingredient on my supply list, Centipede-venom." She added as she put on her protective gloves before placing the bottles at the tip of its forcipules as she began milking its venom.
"Tula, there you are!" a Male voice called out to her as she looked up to see Blasko standing on a tree branch. "Seriously you need to start writing down a note saying you were going on another supply gathering." He said as he crawled down the trunk before leaping over towards his roommate. "Whoa! Is that a Slithering Fanged Bantoo? If so, then why is it doing here since this Species usually lives out with Mountains ranges and open Flats." He added as Tantula finished filling the bottles with venom as she corked them before placing them within her Satchel.
It was then the bound Monster hissed and tried impaling the smaller Lizard-demon with its tongue only for the Spider-witch to pin it under the heel of her boot.
"Listen here bub, nobody gives this Demon a tongue lashing except me, got it!" she said in a threatening tone as she glared directly into the eyes of the Insectoid-monster while channeling her Killer-intent causing the Predator to sweat nervously as it senses a domineering aura coming off of her before it suddenly burst into flames.
"Cliii~EEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSS! ! !~" the Bantoo screeched/hissed as its body was engulfed by fire as it remained pinned against the ground as it slowly burned to death as both Tantula and Blasko were both surprised by what just happened.
"Oh, thank Titan, another one down." Frisk said exhausted getting their attention as his Uniform was badly damaged as well being covered with blood and small chunks of exoskeleton and carapace.
"Dammit Frisk! Warn us next time before you go setting a Creature on fire!" Tantula sternly stated since that Fire-attack could've also hit her and Blasko. "Also, what in the Scorpileo's mane happen to you?" she added questioningly as she noticed his current appearance.
"Been a little busy dealing with an Invasive-species as this is the fourth Bantoo I've managed to kill today." The Dragonfly-demon said with exhaustion as he landed onto his feet to take a breather as well rub his throat since he'd been using a lot of his Fire-magic. "Also, I tried to get some Bantoo venom so Huffer and Nessica can make an Anti-venom because Stings informed me that Trench was pricked by one in the Picnic-area which means there's only one Bantoo left meaning that this might be my last chance to get some venom." He said as he'd tried milking the last two Bantoos he'd dealt with only to breath fire directly into their mouths causing their insides to be set ablaze followed by exploding.
"Well, you don't have to worry about venom since Tula here just milked this Bantoo right before you burn it into charcoal." Blasko informed while motioning to the burnt remains of the Centipede-monster. "Plus, our Hut is closer so she can make your Anti-venom quicker and you can just take it to him." He added since it would be more efficient to head towards the Spider-witch's home where she already has ingredients and equipment laid out.
"That will do, but we must hurry before Trench's heart stops completely." The Ranger Director insisted as the three quickly made way towards the Spider-witch's home.
/ / /
What none of them know was that the last Bantoo has found its way towards Tantula's Hut, which seems to have been made from the remains of a giant Spider-monster, as it clicked its manibles as its hunting instincts went into overdrive.
"Cliiiii~AAAAAAAEEEEEESSSSS! ! !~" the Insectoid Predator hissed as it speedily charged towards the Hut and smashed through the window of the Living-room.
"O-O-OH CENTI-MAN! ! !" Weslyn cried out as she was terrified since the Creature she was just reading about literally burst into the room as her body started flickering through her panicked state catching the Centipede-monster's attention as it hissed/clicked hungrily as it believed her to be a small glowing Insect. "AAAAAWWH! ! !~" she screamed fearfully as the large and extremely long Insect striked at her as she created a Mana-shield only for it to instantly shattered as she was head-butted by the Creature knocking her against the wall.
"Cliiii~EEEEEEEEESSSSS! ! !~" the Bantoo screeched as it striked at her again.
"AAAAAAWWWHH! !~" the young Halfling screamed again as she suddenly vanished as the Bantoo ended up slamming its head against the wall creating a huge crack in it.
"Cliii~EEEEESSS! ! !~" it hissed angrily but caught her scent as it slithered out of the wrecked living-room back outside.
/ / /
"AAAA~AAaaaaww~…" Weslyn continued to scream before cracking one of her eyes open to see that the Centipede-monster was no longer in front of her as her body stopped flickering. "Oh, I'm okay. For a second, I thought I was- WHOAAH!~ Fall off of the roof?!~" she exclaimed as she stood up only to realized she somehow got on top of the Hut's roof. "D-Did I… Did I just T-Teleport!?" she questioned out loud as she quickly started padding herself to check for any external or internal changes since the only time she'd ever tried a Teleportation-spell she ended up drastically changing a person into a living pile of butt-cheeks as she never wanted to try that Spell ever again out of fear of another mishap like that happening.
"Cliii~AAAAAAAAEEEEESSSS! ! !~" hearing that terrifying sound caused her to fearfully glow again as she looked around to see that the Bantoo was scaling its way up the building towards her.
"Oh man, can't I get a break just once?!" she loudly question, her voice changing like the last time her body entered this state, while looking slightly upward towards the sky as if asking Universe why it enjoys tormenting her so much as the Bantoo stood right before her. "Sorry Mega-pede, but I'm not on the menu!" she declared before leaping off the roof as the Insectoid Predator once again tried to strike her as she channeled her Mana to construct a ramp as she rolled herself down towards the ground and across the yard.
"Cliii~EEEEAAAAASSSSS! ! !~" not wanting its prey to get away, the Slithering Fanged Bantoo leaped towards the ground and charged as the Halfling pushed herself up to her feet and tried running only to trip over her Nightgown again.
"Seriously, I hardly find anything in my size!~" she muttered annoyed since she can't find any clothes that fit her extra small and petite frame as she tore of the bottom part of her Gown so it reaches her shins as she got back up and tried creating a Mana-shield again only thicker but was easily pushed by the charging Centipede-monster and pinned against a tree as it began biting away at the energy barrier with it forcipules striking and its manibles scrapping while its barbed fork-tongue lash out trying to pierce through. "Oh man, this is something I never thought how my life would end!~" she whimpered terrified since having nearly experience death multiple times back in her old Realm, she would never have thought she would die in such an ironic manner with her, a pintsized Human insect, about to be eaten by a literal Monster-sized Insect as the Centipede's tongue broke through her barrier as was attempting to lash at her face.
/ / /
Arriving at Tantula's Hut, Frisk, Blasko, and Tantula were shocked to see the last Bantoo here as well trying to attack a child they've never seen before.
"Great Titan, that Bantoo is trying to eat Weslyn!" the Lizard-demon exclaimed as he recognized the Girl the Bantoo was trying to attack.
"Who's Weslyn?" Tantula asked wondering what her roommate was talking about as she got into a fighting stance as soon as she noticed the damage to her home.
"She's the Human you brought home as we've chatted a little when she woke up which was the reason why I was out looking for you." Blasko said as he looked back to noticed that the Human Girl's physical appearance was different from her glowing Violet skin to her hair was now completely made up of Pink energy as it had lengthened to reach her lower-back and was still messy from the scuffle earlier while her eyes, despite now being made of energy, still held the nervousness from when they introduced each other.
Using his Scope-vision, Frisk saw that the child was the Halfling Tantula found, only it seems she taken the form of what made up her other genetic half. "He's right since that is the Halfling you've found Tantula since I sense the same Mana signature from yesterday. But what Species she is will have to wait since that barrier of hers is already giving way!" he stated as he saw that Weslyn's Mana-barrier was rapidly cracking from the Bantoos constant assaults as well its barbed tongue swiping at her face before turning towards the two beside him. "Blasko, I'm going to need you as my backup to get the Bantoo's attention while Tantula grab the Girl and take her a safe distance." He instructed as the two of them nodded.
Quickly putting their plan into motion, Frisk and Blasko run forward and launched their natural Fire-breath, Whitish-red for the Dragonfly-demon and Teal-blue for the Dragonian Lizard-demon, which nailed the Centipede-monster just as it destroyed the Halfling's barrier.
"W-What?!" Weslyn exclaimed confused as the giant Insect broke through her Magic-barrier and was about to strike her before two barrages of flames hammered the Bantoo causing it to screech and back away before noticing Blasko as well the Insectoid-demon she met yesterday were the cause of the flames as her eyes slowly tear up as well feeling a strange feeling in her heart. 'They… They are actually helping me?!' she thought since this was the first time anyone had actually stood up or saved her since usually everyone would just ignore her or encourage the ones tormenting her, especially if they were crossing a line or going completely overboard, saying that it's what her kind deserve for what they've done to their Species and home Planet so she doesn't know how to feel about this before she suddenly pulled away as she realized that she was once again ensnared within a Binding-spell as well in the hands of the Witch she met yesterday.
"You seriously can't seem to stay out of trouble, can you kid." Tantula stated with her lower-arms crossed and a upper-hand on her hip since this was exactly how she met Weslyn in the first place.
"I-It's not like I meant to cause trouble or anything, I-I just can't seem to avoid getting roped into it or taking the entire blame even if I'm not really the cause of it." Weslyn nervously said, her form shifting back to normal, as she was released from her binding and set onto her feet. "B-But thank you again for saving me, I-I'm Weslyn as I don't think we've properly met before." She said introducing herself with a nervous blush on her face as she looked down timidly since being around person who's large then her makes her feel nervous due to years of getting picked on by her size.
"Tantula Blaksilk kid, the Dragonfly-demon over there is Frisk, Director of the Wayside Rangers, and you've already met Blasko, my roommate." The Spider-witch said introducing herself as well the other two who were currently dodging the Bantoo's strikes. "Now that introduction is out of the way, let get you away from the area." She added before lifting the small child into her left upper and lower arms as she slammed the bottom of her Staff against the ground causing the Spider Totem eyes to glow before a massive tree-root sprung from under the ground lifting them upward.
"WHO~OOOAA!~" the young Halfling cried a little scared from how fast and high they were moving as she held on tightly against the busty Sorceress until they've reached the treetops.
"Now you stay here okay." The four-armed Amazon instructed as she placed the Girl down between some smaller roots before running down leaping onto her Staff as she darted towards the Bantoo as it continued to try and strike Frisk and Blasko. "Hey Centi-prick, this is for thrashing my home!" she called out getting the Insect-monster's attention as well the two Demons the chance to get away as she used her lower-arms to trace two Spell-circles. "{Incinerase!}" she exclaimed in ancient Latin as she merged her two Spell-circle into a large single one as an intense torrent of hot flames launched towards the Centipede-monster.
"Cliiii~AAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS! ! ! ! !~" the last and final Bantoo screeched as its entire body was completely engulfed the intensely hot fire as, true to its name, burned the Bantoo until it whole body was completely incinerated leaving nothing but a scorched crater where it one stood.
"Don't you think that was a bit of overkill?" Blasko questioned as he and Frisk sweat-dropped seeing Tantula bended over in a kneeling position, with her lower-hands on a knee and hip, while her upper-hand held onto her Staff for support as she was currently coated with sweat.
"I'm sorry… huff~ But is it you house… huff~ That a giant Centipede just wrecked!~" Tantula said sarcastically through breathes as she leered at the Lizard-demon since the Spell she'd just used took up a lot of energy even though it was one of the strongest Fire-attacks.
"Well, that was the last of the Slithering Fanged Bantoos, now can you bring the Child down so we can all head back to base and give Trench the Anti-venom." Frisk said while look upward towards the top of the tree-root because when he said take the Girl a safe distance, he didn't mean up high on a giant root.
Standing back up, as well popping her back, the Spider-witch tapped the foot of her Staff against the base of the root causing it to return underground. "Well, I'm going to get what left of the ingredients needed to make this Antidote because no doubt that Gigantic-pest have also spilt and destroyed what ingredients I've already gathered as well all of the Elixirs I've made." She said while glaring at the smoking crater since Months of work had been ruined by the Centipede-monster.
As she turned to enter her Hut, the root finally sunk back underground as Weslyn was place back on the ground on shaky legs before falling to her knees with a terrified look on her face. "I-I don't kn-now which w-was scarier, t-t-the enormous C-Centipede that j-just tried to eat m-m-me, the insanely hi-high height I was p-p-placed up on, or T-T-Tantula when s-she completely r-r-roasted that C-C-Centipede~" she stuttered out as Frisk helped her up to her feet.
"Yeah, maybe if you survive long enough you might get used to it." The Ranger Director said trying to help calm her nerve. "But right now, you should get cleaned and dressed since I think proper introductions are in order." He added as he helped her walk towards Tantula's Hut.
"W-Why is t-that." She asked still shaken up from her latest near-death experience.
Looking towards her, the Dragonfly-demon gave her a simple answer. "Because Child, you are in the Monster Realm, home to Monsters and Demons alike. I'm Frisk and trust me when I say that all your questions will be answered in due time." He said as Weslyn's eyes widen wondering just what she just got herself into.
/ / / / /
Finally done!
It took a long time, but the new chapter is finally completed as this took way longer than I thought it would as we've finally meet all three of the Main Characters as well the Side-characters so now the true Story really starts.
Also, there's a Poll up on my Profile for my Chaotic Loud Story asking which Tribal Creature should be Lincoln's first scan so don't forget to vote if you haven't.
See you all next time and remember to stay safe!