Party of Scoundrels
Episode: VII
Part One
So far in the mountains of Dallad, an elf walks up a hill and finds some ruins; he is then seen carefully climbing a narrow stone ledge built into the side of a tall, bare, mountain. Just as he reaches a door in the side of the mountain, the stone ledge he is standing on crumbles away, and he begins to fall, but manages to catch himself and climbs onto the entrance of the doorway. A set of metal interlocking bars that had in the past covered the doorway now sit broken and bent away from the opening.
Elf: Of all the jobs in Dallad, I have to pick the one where I clean the dungeons.
The elf steps through the doorway and into a short tunnel going into the mountain. The tunnel ends in a vast, cavernous hollow in the mountain, and the ground falls away into the distance at the end of the tunnel. He blows the end of a stick and makes it glow; with this light, he examines his surroundings. He finds another stairway, and he walks down to it.
Deep inside is a vast dungeon of clattering chains and creatures roaring. The elf enters the place, and he patrols it, shortly before he hears a louder noise coming from the far end. In a panic, he rushes over to go check it out, where a few elven guards are pointing his spear at the gate.
Elf: Guard? What is it?
Guard: It's the specimen. He's acting up again. He's been like this for weeks now.
Elf: Well, has he been fed?
Guard: Well, of course he has. He always gets fed-
Then, the roaring gets louder, enough to shake the grounds, and the beast bangs on the gate.
Guard: He's suddenly acting up this way all of a sudden.
Elf: Let me handle this. I've got three youngsters at home. This won't be a problem for me. I was assigned for this anyway.
[five second silence]
Guard: Alright. [to the others] You heard him. Let him pass.
The elf climbs to the top of the gate, as the guards ready themselves for any attacks. He gets ready to grab the gate all at once. Then, a roar comes from the other side of the gate, and the panel flies out of his hands and smacks into him, knocking him clear off the gate.
Now everything happens at once. The guards thud to the floor, the gate's door jerks away from the mouth of the wall, an alarm buzzer sounds, and a giant claw slashes out from inside the gate. It sinks into the ankle of the elf, dragging him toward the dark mouth of the dungeon. The elf screams and paws the dirt, leaving long claw marks as he is rapidly dragged in.
Guard: Fire at will!
They fire their arrows and throw their spears, trying to deal with the monster hiding in the shadows. Some of the guards run in and grab the elf, trying to pull him free. Then, a huge gust of fire spews out from the dungeon, killing all of the elves.
Now that the elves are gone, the mysterious monster slowly walks out from the dungeon and it roars before bursting through the side of the mountain, flying in the air.
At a shaggy hut as it is pouring rain, Milan is hiding from a patrol of Elite Force horsemen as she is scooping up water from a nearby river. By the time she walks up to the hut, two knights stand in front of her, much to her horror. However, they are interested in each other instead of her, as they smooch while going into a room at the other end of the hut.
Milan: [relieved] Phew.
She enters the room where the others are, and she sees Kesseki with a bottle of sake.
Milan: Kesseki, are you drinking whiskey?
Kesseki: Not really. It's sake. The same one my friends and I had when… Edgar was crowned.
With all the leaks in the room, the agitated Arkus is blocking the holes with some umbrellas.
Arkus: "Best hut in the land", he says. "A guest room," he says. More like an unwelcoming guest room. If that landlord thinks he can get away with this, I've got news for that asshole: I'd feed him to the lions!
Bestial: And I say we go back to the woods.
Arkus: By a long shot. Most of us are not used to the idea of living in the wilderness.
Kesseki: Yes, I can tell. Trimbo's beard was a dead giveaway.
Bestial: Speaking of which, where is he?
Kesseki: At the backside.
Trimbo is shaving his beard with a knife, carefully cleaning his chin without making a scratch. He walks back to the others, right before Gideon comes over with a facecloth, which Trimbo uses to wipe his face off.
Gideon: How is it?
Trimbo: The cloth? It feels nice.
Gideon: It's been added with a little… aftershave I've been working on. It barely stings you, and it cleans off all the bacteria you may get in your beard. But… are you sure we have to move?
Trimbo: We can't really stay here, Gideon. You know as well as I that Raizer will stop at nothing to kill us off. But until we know what he's really up to, we must stay hidden at all times.
Kesseki: I would have to agree with him on this. It's a surprise for Raizer to just try to execute Trimbo out of the blue, but he must have a plan in mind.
Bestial: If I like to take a wild guess, he's probably the one who hired Cardi to free the ogres.
Milan: Wait. You're saying everything since the Great Barrier breach was his doing?
Arkus: Actually… she may have a point. Because I was there when Duke Cardi told me about this mysterious figure he's working for. He says that he's supposed to bring doom to Xenotopia. How and why? He never mentioned it.
Trimbo: He probably did it all, hoping to make him famous.
Gideon: If that was true, he would've killed all of the ogres with his golden cannon.
Kesseki: Then nobody would praise him. Because King Archimedes was praised for his thoughtful feelings and respect for all life in Xenotopia. Which is one of the reasons he just banished the ogres to the Territories instead of killing them off.
Gideon: Okay, then.
Milan: But should we plan to leave her? I don't feel comfortable here, and it's covered with dust.
Milan blows the dust away, which goes into Norbert's face, and the dragon is about to sneeze.
Milan: Not in here, Norbert!
But Norbert pauses, and he is relaxed now.
Gideon: She's right. The longer we stay here, the more time the guards will find us.
Trimbo: Then we'd have to round up all of our friends as fast as we can before we're discovered.
Kesseki: Unfortunately Trimbo… I cannot tag along. I've been asked by the Shogun to meet up with my cousin. We're going for a peace treaty with Queen Valim this week.
Bestial: Yeah, and I have to meet up with some other Craitans. Inspire them to be more like warriors and less like hunter-gatherers.
Arkus: Same here. I must attend to the Dragonators' meeting daily. But it won't be a problem. I can drop you off somewhere first. As long as we know we're all intact, we can have the advantage.
Milan: Are you sure?
Trimbo: Don't worry, they're much tougher than you think they are.
Kesseki: [bows] May the gods watch over you.
Kesseki and Bestial both take their leave, leaving the others alone in the hut.
Trimbo: Anyway, we'll start with Prusha. Hopefully, Wor-Kis and Rozella are there.
Trimbo blows the dust out from his arm, again going into Norbert's face. Finally, Penelope sneezes, setting the whole hut on fire. Milan gasps before she and everyone else get out before the hut collapses.
Trimbo: [laughs nervously] Oops.
Arkus: [coughs] To be honest, I've forgotten how much a troublemaker you've been, Trimbo.
Gideon: Don't worry, we're going to Prusha after all. Let me go get something at the Zippie store.
Gideon and Milan both walk over to the Zippie convenience store across the road to get some supplies for the way. However, Milan seems a little worried about something.
Gideon: You're alright?
Milan: I'm just worried about my father. I should've… wrote to him that I was leaving.
Gideon: I share that feeling. But… we did it for the right reason.
Milan: You're right. At least for the time being, we're safe, my love.
Gideon: Yes, we're-
Gideon sees a wanted sign with him and Milan, so he ducks down to hide his face. When the cashier arrives, Milan tries to get him to not see the sign.
Cashier: Whooh! Can I help you?
Milan: Um…. I need magic wipes.
Cashier: Okay.
Milan: No. No, I don't. I mean, ladies' razorblades.
Cashier: Right.
Milan: No! No. I forgot, I'm… European. [giggles] Just give me beef jerky. Lots and lots of beef jerky. That's right. That's what I need. That's all I came in for.
Cashier: Sure.
With that, Gideon gets enough time to scribble on the wanted sign, so it looks like another couple. The cashier sees the sign and looks away with a shocked look.
Cashier: Holy Christ! There they are!
Cashier points at the two lovers who look identical to the scribbled versions of Gideon and Milan, shortly before they are apprehended by the Elite Force. With that, the group mounts on Norbert before he flies off into the sky to Prusha.
Part Two
Meanwhile, in the High King's Palace, Raizer watches two strongmen placing two golden cannons at the Crystal Throne's sides.
Raizer: A little to the left on my right.
She-Dom: Raizer, doesn't this look too intimedating?
Raizer: I want them all to know I mean serious business, and yes, this might look scary. Btu fear is a great motivator. A little to the left.
The strongmen adjust the cannon before Raizer sits on the Crystal Throne.
Raizer: With the golden cannons by my…. Uh, a little bit more.
Again, the strongmen adjust the cannon on the right side.
Raizer: That's better. With the golden cannons by my side… all of Xenotopia will know who they should pay homage to.
She-Dom: Either that, or they'll just flee.
Raizer laughs and then turns to the Oracle, who is sitting among her divination objects in a corner of the room.
Raizer: Now, you old goat, I think it's time you tell me my-
Oracle: Fortune?
Raizer: F-future. I was going to say future. Look into your bowl, and tell me what glory awaits.
The Oracle looks into a small bowl, deep in thought, and she takes out a goat.
Oracle: I do have the power to see, but… in the eyes of a goat, the one who wishes to see… must be close enough.
Raizer exclaims in annoyance before approaching the Oracle, who again looks into her bowl and the goat checks on him.
Oracle: The goat sees… disgust.
The goat sniffs on Raizer's side, much to his disgust.
Raizer: Ew!
Oracle: And anger….
The goat takes a bite out of Raizer's robe.
Raizer: How dare you! That is the finest silk in the kingdom!
Oracle: Followed by denial….
Raizer: This is not fortune telling! You're just saying what's happening right-
Oracle: Now? The important time is now.
She-Dom: [giggles]
Raizer: [sighs in exasperation] Can you please…?
Oracle: I have seen it. The gods shared it with me… but to show it, it can only be used once.
The Oracle blew into the bowl. Glowing blue-white smoke suddenly erupts from the bowl. Raizer watches in awe as the smoke rises into the air, forming the shapes of Xenotopia's future.
Oracle: When Xenotopia is falling into chaos, when hope is on the brink of extinction, when the once proud Apex would fall, and when a great evil thrives from the Crystal Throne… seven unlikely heroes, each of a different race, comes to seize it all. Restore the land and vanquished the-
A shocked and furious Raizer shatters the bowl with a goblet and fans away the apparition with his robe. The Oracle looks up as Raizer chuckles.
Raizer: There's already peace, since my coronation. Everything you said is impossible, and you know it!
Oracle: It is not impossible… and he knows it.
Raizer: Who?
At that moment, Dola'wic emerges from a veil of smoke.
Dola'wic: My king, my apologies for bringing bad news, but… I saw Trimbo.
Raizer: You did what!?
Raizer lunges at Dola'wic, pinning him to the floor by the neck.
Dola'wic: Trimbo Morningstar, the crown prince of Ukrim, and Edgar's oldest son. He was in giant custody, and… he coerced the big brutes to- [chokes]
Raize: [glaring; slowly] Trimbo Morningstar is DEAD!
Oracle: Even though he's blinded by dark magic, he can see the truth. Why is it that you cannot?
Raizer: Find him, and bring him to me, so I can kill him with my bare hands!
He flings Dola'wic away, who bows and retreats in smoke.
Raizer: So Edgar's son lives… but this changes nothing. I am still High King of Xenotopia right after the last one, as it is said on my uncle's will.
She-Dom: But we'd know otherwise. However, the will also said that if Edgar dies in action, his eldest son would inherit the Crystal Throne.
Raizer: Then I will kill him… and make everything the Oracle said wrong!
Then, he hears a chewing sound behind him. The goat is eating the hem of his robes again.
Raizer: Will you STOP that!?
He yanks the robe out of its mouth.
Meanwhile, Dola'wic is pacing around in his fortress with the Death-Trio watching him.
Dola'wic: He wants me to find a prince, but how? I know how to track demigods, but not mere mortals.
Sleek: Well, you could try praying to Omicron, since you're said to be his hand.
Dola'wic: Silence! I am thinking.
Ozzy: No, Sleek. He doesn't need to pray, he just needs to fish out the prince with his consort, the Princess of Prusha.
Peeved, Dola'wic threateningly points his staff at the Death-Trio, but after overhearing Ozzy's words, he smirks with an idea.
Part Three
All the way in Prusha, Norbert flies over the vast landscape and approaches the capital city of Nicholastown. As Trimbo and the others on Norbert are watching the city, they see dragon riders flying around or doing construction.
Trimbo: I forgot. Townley's will instructed the Prushans to train dragons.
Arkus: Yeah, I didn't bother to tell you this before we got here. But still, I'm worried the humans will misuse the elf's shared knowledge of dragon training for wars. But, even with Edgar's death and your presumed one, life in Prusha has been pretty peaceful. They're only using the dragons to fend off pirates and make construction faster.
Milan: So, um… where could we find one of your other friends, Trimbo?
Trimbo: It's only a hypothesis. So… we'll be taking the Rococo Palace first.
Norbert flies over the harbor and lands on the backside of the palace. The group dismounts, but Arkus stays on his dragon.
Arkus: Be careful in there, Trimbo. Just remember the Elite Force may be in there.
Trimbo: Understood. Good luck.
Arkus stirs Norbert, beckoning the dragon to take flight again. Trimbo, Gideon and Milan all look at the front doors of the palace, where opulently dressed party-goers are streaming inside. A guard is checking the guests out of the lists, deciding whether or not they will go in.
Gideon: Not good. There's a party going on, and… none of us are fancy-looking.
Trimbo: He's right. They'll tear us apart if we just go in.
Milan is looking around, and she sees some outfits hanging on a drying rack a few yards away, which gives her an idea.
Later, the guard sees something approaching. It turns out to be the trio, with Gideon disguised as an elegant young fop of a nobleman, but Trimbo and Milan are both in dresses, much to Trimbo's chagrin.
Gideon: How is your cuisine and your good wine, my foul feral of a peasant?
Guard: Uh, can I help you, mister-
Gideon: Lord Barking, of Trance, and his two ladies-in-waiting.
Trimbo: [whispers] What?!
Milan: Shhh.
Guard: I'm, uh…. I'm not seeing you on the invitation list, sir.
Thinking fast, Gideon takes snuff, then sneezes madly while bouncing all over the courtyard. As the guard pays attention to him, Trimbo quickly alters the list without being noticed. Gideon recovers, as if nothing happened, and the guard checks on the list once more.
Guard: Ah, there you are. Right this way, your lordship.
Thanks to that, the trio make their way into the palace. However, Ringo picks up a scent of something from somewhere. He follows the smell, leading him to the other end of the palace, and he jumps up an open window that takes Ringo to the kitchen, where he sees variants of cooked fish.
But the trio are oblivious to Ringo's absence as they stroll down the hallway.
Gideon: It's a good plan, Milan.
Milan: It's the best I could come up with.
Trimbo: Okay, but… why do I have to wear a dress too?
Milan: You have to know that it's easier to go to a ball when you're wearing a dress, or as my big sister would say.
In the palace is a ball. Elegant royalists, in 17th century Russian costumes, waltz in the main hall as an orchestra plays. The trio walk into the ball, looking around the place, and Trimbo sees Ivan dancing with a woman.
Milan: [awed] Oh my, this is an upscene level of fanciness. You don't see any of this back in Brimey-Blue.
Trimbo: I see King Ivan. If he's here, Wor-Kis may not be too far off.
Gideon: Okay, but we should dance through it. It'll make everyone suspicious of us.
Trimbo: [whispers; angrily] I swear, if I dance with a man, it's on your heads.
As Trimbo takes his leave, Gideon and Milan both walk together to join the ball and waltz together. For Milan, it seems densing to her, as she blushes bright red on her face.
Milan: Ooooh, this is making me nervous. I've never danced before.
Gideon: Well, neither have I, but… I wouldn't mind if you stepped on my toes a few times.
As he's in disguise, Trimbo walks deeper and deeper into the crowd, where he sees Ivan talking to a girl dressed in black.
Ivan: Yes, I hope so.
Then, the Prushan King notices Trimbo, not realizing it's him in disguise.
Ivan: Hello there.
Trimbo walks away; Ivan is surprised, but he follows her. He leads him to a maze outside the palace. When Ivan tries to catch up to him, he can't find him. But he sees him waving to him and runs away, only to stop at the center of the maze.
Ivan: Ah, the masked lady finally stops!
Now, Trimbo removes his wig and makeup to reveal himself, shocking Ivan with surprise.
Ivan: Trimbo? You're alive?
Trimbo: And trust me… I don't like being in this dress either.
But then, Ivan rushes over to hug Trimbo, which surprises Trimbo.
Ivan: Praise the gods. Everyone thought you had died along with your father.
Trimbo: I was delayed coming back home. But I have no time to explain all the details, sire. I need to know if Rozella and Wor-Kis are here or not.
Ivan: Unfortunately, they're both not here. Ever since she's heard about your death, Rozella… left home for good and Wor-Kis followed her. After all, in your absence, a princess has to find another suitor. But I assure you, she is safe and sound with her faction. However… what about your raccoon pet? Is he okay too?
Realizing that, Trimbo looks around and can't find Ringo anywhere.
In the kitchen, Ringo is scurrying on the table, and a singing chef comes over to do his work with the food, while the raccoon hides and watches him. As the chef proceeds to chop the dead animals, Ringo is suddenly looking disgusted by how humans prepare their meat, and he retreats to hide somewhere else.
Chef: Nothing like preparing dead animals for a feast. First I cut off the heads, pull out the bones, toss the innards to the stove, and cook them until they're juicy and pure red.
Ringo still searches for a way to hide, but he sees a tray of decorated cupcakes and it piques his interests. As the chef is nearly finished, Ringo begins to feed on the cupcakes, but when the chef turns, he plays dead. The chef notices Ringo playing dead, and he picks him up by the hair for a closer look, like he's never seen a raccoon before.
Chef: What is this rodent?
Then Ringo bites the chef in the nose. The chef attacks him and chases him around the kitchen, causing a big mess in the process. He gets his hand burned on a hot stove, a large pot falls on his foot, and he throws kitchen knives at the evading raccoon, but Ringo drops the sauce bowl on his head. Enraged, the chef cleaves the board with a cleaver, attempting to find him.
Chef: Where'd you go? [sees Ringo] There you are!
He throws the cleaver at Ringo, but he misses, and Ringo jumps onto a blowtorch's trigger, catching the chef on fire. The chef screams in pain, but he takes off his clothes on time, leaving him in his underwear.
Chef: Why you little!
Ringo runs for his life and the chef chases after him with a mallet, causing a massive mess in the kitchen.
In the ballroom, everyone hears the banging, prompting the musicians to cease the music.
Head maid: [bows] Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to go check up on the chef.
Back in the kitchen, the chef is trashing the place searching for Ringo in vain.
Chef: Come out you little pipsqueak and fight like a man!
And then, the head maid shows up, ranting at the chef.
Head maid: Excuse me! What are you doing in your underpants?
Chef: [sheepishly] Well, I- um, I was just- er, er, pest control.
The head maid then takes the platter of food and leaves the kitchen. The ballroom is booming with music again, once the head maid puts the platter on the buffet table. Without looking, she lifts a plate cover to reveal Ringo cowering in the salad before he takes off.
Part Four
Within the crowd, Gideon and Milan both see Ringo scurrying across without being seen. Milan lifts her shirt and signals for Ringo to hide there. Ringo rushes across while no one is looking, but a gentleman looks at Milan who is acting innocently.
Gentleman: Um… did I just see a… raccoon scurrying on the floor.
Milan: A raccoon. Oh, don't be ridiculous. Nobody would feel comfortable with one of those in the palace.
But then, gasps come from the crowd and the room falls silent. The crowd parts before a dark figure. The dark figure is Dola'wic, stalking through the crowd, with people falling back in fear and surprise, crushing a champagne glass underfoot. When Ivan shows up with Trimbo, he beckons Trimbo to hide.
Ivan: Stay hidden.
Dola'wic has reached the Prushan, who alone stands firm before him.
Ivan: Do you have to scare everyone in the palace?
Dola'wic: Calm yourself. I only wish to speak to you. We're seeking two fugitives. One of them was enlisted to the Elite Force, but he deserted it, and by decree of the High King, all deserters must be punished. Tis the will of the gods.
Gideon and Milan, both hiding in the crowd, keep their heads hidden to avoid being discovered. But one woman shows up to confront Dola'wic.
Woman: We don't need to hear about gods around here.
Dola'wic: Be careful who you insult. As a servant of Omicron, one of the elder gods who have been around since the beginning of time, they are nothing to laugh about.
Woman: Well, what do you want? Should we be afraid? Should we be trembling and soiling ourselves in fear? The gods need us. They need our worship. What do we need from them? Have you seen Ivan's daughter? What could be more divine than her face? More beautiful than all of the women of Prusha! More beautiful than Gamma herself! Your gods should envy her, because they mean nothing to us.
Dola'wic: Yen! Zu! Chao!
The Death-Trio materialize in a veil of smoke, surrounding the guests, and Dola'wic walks over to the woman who confronted him.
Dola'wic: We were specks of dust beneath their fingernails. Our very breath is a gift from Laputa. You have insulted powers beyond your comprehension, just like the time of General Cruciatus. But…. What do you know of beauty? What is more beautiful than death?
As Dola'wic uses dark magic to suck in air, the woman's body ages and withers until she turns to dust. Everyone screams in fright by what the dark wizard just did.
Dola'wic: [to Ivan] I come before you with great tidings, hoping that you would just welcome me with open arms, and what do I get? Insults… in front of my FACE!
Ivan: Wait, wait! Pardon them all. They're just guests, and I-
Dola'wic: Mark my words! I have brought dark dragons back from the dead. In three days, this city will be burnt to the ground, and all of you with it. Unless you sacrifice the princess you so foolishly compare to the gods. Only her blood will sate the dragons and Omicron, whom you should pray for salvation. Choose your penance, old king. Destruction or sacrifice. This is the will of the gods. The will of your makers.
Dola'wic raises his staff upward and he vanishes with the Death-Trio. And now, everyone in the ball is worried about what to do: let Prusha be destroyed or sacrifice Princess Rozella.
On Laputa, the floating island of the gods, Apex is watching the scene from the magic fountain, and he has a scolding look on his face as Omicron walks over to him.
Omicron: You summoned me, Apex?
Apex: It looks like your servant has been stirring up trouble, and he's doing it by your will.
Omicron: Oh, I have nothing to do with anything this time.
Apex: Don't play with me. Dola'wic has threatened the Prushan kingdom with dark dragons in exchange for the princess. You of all gods would encourage him to say anything to terrorize the mortals.
Omicron: I assure you, I haven't spread any more evils upon the world. I have cursed a single baby from birth since you allowed me into Laputa. And I've got records to prove it.
Apex: Enough. [beat] You're off the hook… but only for now. There will be a time when I deal with you in the end, even if the mortals would stop praying to us.
Back in the Rococo Palace, Ivan flops onto his chair in his bedroom, with the trio accompanying him.
Ivan: Oh, I knew this day would come. The day when someone brags of my Rozella's beauty that would upset the gods.
Milan: There's still time, your majesty. You just have to tell Dola'wic that it was only a rumor, and all can be forgiven.
Ivan: But alas, no one concorts with an Omicron worshiper. The whole kingdom wants me to… surrender my only child for the sacrifice, or I'd risk all of Prusha and its people. I don't even know where she is.
Gideon thinks about what to do, but when he sees a hairbrush on the King's dresser, he gets an idea.
Gideon: What if we could look for her?
Ivan: [stunned] What?
Gideon: I have a way. Although I haven't tested it out yet, but… it just might work. All I need is a strand of hair in order for me to find Rozella.
Ivan: Hmmmm. [beat] Very well.
Later, Gideon is concocting something in a small, boiling cauldron in the fireplace. With a hairbrush given to him by Trimbo, he plucks a strand of hair from it and dips it into the pot, triggering a reaction from the brew.
Ivan: Is this… witchcraft? Is he a warlock?
Trimbo: No, Ivan. Gideon's only a healer. But it boggles me on how this would help us find Rozella.
Gideon: It's simple, really. This liquid is for a water compass, which points you the way of the liquid's home of origin. I was hoping to use it as a way of finding sources of plagues, but if my hypothesis is right, this hair strand could tell us where Rozella is currently at.
Milan: A plague-tracking liquid? That's incredible.
The liquid is done. Gideon scoops up some from a ladle and pours it into a compass in hand, which starts pointing to where the potion is pointing at.
Gideon: It's working. We're getting a signal.
Trimbo: [amazed] Holy shit, it worked? I, uh….
Ivan: Splendid. You will find her, won't you? I fear that if she doesn't show up and say she's not vain….
Trimbo: I swear it, sir. We'll find and we'll-
But as he walks out the door while talking, a blizzard strikes the palace, covering the area with snow, and he shuts the door.
Trimbo: On second thought… we'll do it in the morning.
Part Five
The next morning, when the sky is sunny, the trio make their way out of the palace by going out from the stables at the other side of the mountain. Ivan stands on the balcony where he can see them ride away on horseback, and he holds his hands in prayer.
Ivan: Gods above, hear my prayer. Watch over Trimbo and his friends… as well as Rozella.
Elsewhere is the Elite Force campsite. As the rest of the army watches, two newbies do some swordplay. One of the newbie's tongue is hanging out of his mouth
Newbie: En garde!
The second newbie takes up his sword and swordplay resumes. Watching them sparring is Captain Siniy, the Prushan captain of the guard who now wears an Elite Force suit. While the crowd cheers the swords-boys on, Siniy is not impressed, and he buries his nose in his hand while squeezing his eyes shut.
Siniy: Alright, stop, stop, stop!
He leaves his chair and walks up to the newbies.
Siniy: This is NOT how you fight! You think this is a joke?! On the battlefield, wherever we go, there's gonna be thousands of enemies trying to beat the crap out of you and fusk your corps! So what do we do?! We survey each enemy, and we attack their weak spots! This… um…. [to a newbie] What is your name?
Newbie: Scott Milkrun, sir.
Siniy: Milkrun has diabetes, so we hit him in his weak spot!
Siniy swings his baton at Scott's mouth and lands it, making Scott's tongue go back in his mouth.
Scott: Aaah God ow sorry….
Siniy: Weakness and failure both have one thing in common: never an option, and it's never tolerated in the Elite Force! Get back to training!
As Siniy leaves, the second newbie is not sure what to do next, then he swats Scott on his back. Siniy goes into a commanders' tent, where he encounters his subordinate Lankif.
Siniy: Lankif. Anything yet?
Lankif: Well, Captain, our spies have given us some intel. They've managed to track Rozella's footprints, somewhere in the woods, not too far from where we are now.
Siniy: Good. Tell Lieutenant Zedos to continue the training courses in my absence. We're going to take our best men to find her, and have her marry me at last.
Lankif: I'm sorry to bring this up to you, but we-
Siniy: My friend, my job is to train the Elite Force, and I still am. It's a dangerous world out there, and she needs protection, my protection. Trimbo Morningstar is dead, so we should be grateful for that.
Meanwhile, there is the Cyan Diamonds' tent headquarters. Pelly looks over a crude, cardboard, scale model of the eastern parts of Xenotopia, with troop locations indicated by Lego men
Pelly: Alright, here's the deal: the main entrance to the woods is already blocked by dryads, which is where they kill anyone for chomping down trees. The troops say they only occupy those parts, since it's where the main road is located. Our best chance of getting firewood is finding a way to the woods' side entrance, here.
Carrie: At that side?
Jimsey: That's right. Those parts are vacant, and there's hardly any monsters around there.
Pelly: The key to us surviving for winter is taking over those parts before the snow falls.
Craig: So how do we take over there?
Pelly: I have no idea.
Then, a scout appears at the tent's entrance.
Scout: Hey uh, excuse me?
Pelly: Yes?
Scout: Scout report. We've found out… Trimbo Morningstar is alive.
Pelly: [gasps with joy]
In the woods, Trimbo and Milan follow Gideon, who's paying attention to the liquid compass that's showing the way. But as they journey forward, the woods are making Milan a little nervous as she listens to all the animal noises from afar. And then, she gasps when she hears a howling.
Milan: What's that, what's that?
Trimbo: It's just a coyote. Gideon, how much farther do we have to go?
Gideon: When we're close, the potion in this compass will tell by glowing like a firefly.
Milan: By why in the wilderness? This place is too creepy.
Their horses are beginning to look tired from their travels. Trimbo indicates it, and sees the sun is setting, knowing it's too late to continue this journey. But with luck, the trio find a stream up ahead.
Gideon: There's a stream.
Trimbo: Let's camp here for the night.
Part Six
Later, everyone is gathered at a bonfire where Trimbo creates fire with two flint rocks. Gideon sets up a tent while Milan dips her feet into the stream.
Milan: [relieved] Finally. Those shoes were killing me.
Ringo crawls up to a horse's saddle bag and takes out a package with his mouth before scurrying over to Gideon. He takes out some marshmallows from the package.
Gideon: Who's up for some marshmallows?
Everyone begins toasting their marshmallows lightly. Milan, sitting across from Trimbo, sets her on fire and tries to blow on it to cool it down, but the marshmallow flies off and hits Trimbo in the face. Milan gets another marshmallow and repeats the same thing twice. After two marshmallows to the face, Trimbo ducks, but the third marshmallow has a boomerang effect and hits Trimbo in the back of the head.
Trimbo: Okay. Besides spitting molten foodstuffs at me, what else do you do for fun?
Gideon: Well, when you're camping, you can also play some relaxing music.
Trimbo: Oh yeah. Well, I've got a relaxing tune for that.
Trimbo holds up a flute and begins playing "Kumbaya". Milan and Gideon look alarmed.
Milan: Oh, no! I'll save you, Trimbo!
Milan picks up a marshmallow and slingshots it at Trimbo in the face. Trimbo reacts like he is choking, until he blows the marshmallow from his snout and Ringo eats it.
Trimbo: What was that?! I was just playing music and you lodged that ballistic junk food into my nose!
Milan: But I had to! It's much too dangerous to play a fluke out here in the wilderness! It might attract…. [whispers] A tigersaur.
Trimbo: A tigersaur? You mean the one that… doesn't exist?!
Milan: What are you saying?
Trimbo: There's no such thing as a tigersaur. That's something mothers would tell their kids if they don't get to bed on time.
Gideon: Oh, no, Trimbo, tigersaurs are all too real. You don't have those in Ukrim because they went extinct there. But in most parts of Xenotopia, they're around, hunting down our livestock and treating themselves to human flesh.
Trimbo: Oh yeah? Well, why don't you tell me all of the things I shouldn't do if I want to keep the tigersaurs away?
Milan: Okay, that's easy. First off, don't play the fluke. If you have a lit torch, never wave it back and forth really fast. They're easily attracted by light and heat.
Trimbo: You're kidding.
Milan: Don't stomp around. They take that as a challenge.
Trimbo: What else, what else?
Gideon: Do not wear headwear in a goofy fashion, or clown shoes with a hoop skirt together, and never… screech like a monkey.
Trimbo: Wow! That's amazing how many things can set a tigersaur off!
Milan: [shuddering] They're horrible! I saw one when I was little… and it… almost got me if I wasn't home in time.
Trimbo: And… and suddenly I have the sense we're all in danger!
Milan: Why?
Trimbo: I don't know….
Trimbo runs off and returns with a pair of clown shoes, a hoop skirt, a sombrero, and takes a firewood to hold it like a torch, with a diabolical look on his face.
Trimbo: Just a feeling!
Milan: [horrified] No.
Trimbo: U! Uhuhu!
Both: Trimbo, please don't!
But he continues hooting, stomping, and waving the torch around.
Milan: Gideon, what are we gonna do? A tigersaur's sure to come and eat us!
Gideon: Don't worry, Milan.
Gideon takes a stick and draws a circle around himself and Milan.
Gideon: The anti-maul circle. All the experts say it's the only defense against a tigersaur attack.
Trimbo: [laughing] You guys are so gullible! See? I did everything that attracts a tigersaur, and nothing happened! If tigersaurs really exist, why didn't one show up?
Milan: Maybe it's because you're not wearing your sombrero in a goofy fashion.
Trimbo: Oh, pfft, sorry! How silly of me! You mean like this?
Trimbo tilts his sombrero to the right, laughing, but something from behind takes the hat and turns it upside-down instead.
Milan: No. Like that.
Gideon and Milan both see the being that inverted Trimbo's sombrero: a tigersaur. It looks more like an Allosaurus with tiger-stripes and it snorts on Trimbo's head. Trimbo then smacks the tigersaur by the snout.
Trimbo: Stop steaming up my hair! What are ya trying to do, wrinkle it?
But Trimbo realizes it's the tigersaur and screams while it roars and chases him while he runs. It begins to maul the screaming Trimbo while Milan and Gideon are still huddled inside their anti-maul circle. The tigersaur moves away, leaving Trimbo bruised and battered.
Milan: Trimbo, are you okay?
Trimbo: No.
Gideon: Quick! Jump inside our anti-maul circle before he comes back. They often attack more than once.
Trimbo: Are you crazy? A dirt circle won't stop that monster. I'm running for my life!
Then, the tigersaur comes back and resumes mauling Trimbo before leaving.
Milan: Don't run! Tigersaurs hate that!
Trimbo: Thanks for the tip. I guess I'll just limp for the horses.
Again, the tigersaur comes back and resumes mauling Trimbo.
Gideon: They hate limping more than running!
Trimbo: Well, I guess I'll just have….
Again, the tigersaur comes back and resumes mauling Trimbo.
Gideon: I should have warned you about crawling.
Again, the tigersaur comes back and resumes mauling Trimbo.
Trimbo: What'd I do that time?
Milan: I don't know! I guess he just doesn't like you.
Gideon: Try to draw a circle.
As Trimbo makes his own circle, the tigersaur comes back and resumes mauling Trimbo.
Milan: That was an oval! It has to be a circle!
Trimbo: Move over!
Trimbo runs and gets behind Milan and Gideon, who are still sitting in the circle. The tigersaur comes up to Trimbo in the circle, then notices the circle itself below before snarls as it points a threatening claw at him, and leaves.
Trimbo: Hey, it worked! Okay, I owe you both an apology. You might say this will cost me, but… I feel like I've paid the price.
Milan: Yeah, I'm glad it was just a tigersaur. This circle would never hold back a saber-tooth bear.
Trimbo: There's a saber-tooth bear? What attracts those guys?
Gideon: The sound of a tigersaur attack.
Then, a saber-toothed grizzly bear appears, snorting and growling.
Gideon: Heh, I guess this is going to be a long night.
Trimbo: [nervously] Uh-huh.
All the way in Dallad, Arkus rides Norbert into the mountains where it has a hole on the side and it grabs his attention in shock. Norbert flies closer to it, and Arkus jumps off to land inside of the dungeon where the Elder is in the perimeter.
Arkus: Elder, what happened?
Elder: We had a breach. From the inside.
Arkus peers at the ruined parts of the dungeon and when he recognizes the one that was burst into flames, he gets a shocked look on his face.
Elder: Yes, Arkus. This is the one.
Arkus: But… how did this happen?
Elder: We haven't seen likes of him in centuries, and… he's been taking a liking to someone since he's imprinted on her.
Arkus: But we must be worried. If the whole world finds out about this, Raizer would put a price on his head. I, uh…. I must go find Trimbo before it's too late.
Meanwhile in the Kylish countryside, a pack of wolves are gathered together at a bone-scattered landscape, which was a battlefield of the Red Hearts and the Cyan Diamonds as their flags are on the dirt. But then, the wolves pick up a scent that drives them off. Something big and heavy lands on the ground, and it is so dark, the creature who escaped Dallad is hidden in shadows. It lowers its head and sniffs the ground, trying to pick up a scent. When it does, the creature looks ahead at the east, where Prusha is.