Me: *sigh* I've decided to finish ALL the chapters of Jewel Quest and start the first chapter of Black Magic before I start to work on anything else.
Vash: YES!!!
Kanari: And may I ask why?
Vash: *smack* That's only for negotiating class? Who cares as long as she's writing?
Kanari: *shrug* oh, okay.
Me: *sad smile* and so innocent little being with no clue what might happen...*looks at Kanari and Vash* Do please read.
Vash: Okay, okay, we are, don't have to be so dramatic!
Me: I'm feeling tired today after writing this...But Jewel Quest is a story that I can write in whatever mood I'm in, and the plot is SO good that, well, I have to finish Jewel Quest so I can start on Black Magic so I can have a stable condition so that I can start writing all the other stories.
Kanari: Enough said, now let's read!!!:
The Ignoramus
"Okay, Rene, you go with Kelli and I'll go with Yuki." Vash said. "We'll go to the right and you go to the left. Meet up at the dome."
"Okay." Kelli said. She reached for Rene's hand. "C'mon."
"Where and what are we supposed to do exactly?" I asked Vash. He walked over to the ivy and started to climb. "Need a lift?"
"Sure." We reached the tower again. Vash closed his eyes and concentrated very hard. Suddenly, he was gone before my eyes. But only for a second. The next moment, he popped right back up again.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I can't do it as well as Kelli can." He said. "You try it. Think about being invisible." I tried.
"Not working." Kero said quietly. In all the midst of the excitement, I mad forgotten he lay curled up under my collar. I tired harder. Cherry had been left with Kanari.
"Stop thinking." Vash said.
"What?" I asked.
"Stop thinking of other things and just of being invisible." He replied.
"Okay, I can do this." I winced. C'mon. This was vital. What would it be like to be invincible? Awfully cool. I concentrated harder. Suddenly, I felt icy cold. Opening my eyes, I looked down. I couldn't see anything.
"What?" I asked. Then I saw my body again.
"Cool, eh?" Vash asked. "It lasts for a second after you lose power."
"Wow." I said. "Kero, try it. You're gonna need it too." Kero tried as was only as successful as Vash.
"Girls do it better." Vash said. "C'mon, we have to move around the castle."
"Can't we just fly up there?" I asked, pointing to the dome on the very top. Vash thought about this.
"We'd be very likely to be seen." He said.
"And to be invincible at the same time?" I asked.
"How would you carry me up there?" He asked. I pulled out my necklace.
"The Fly Card." I said.
"We can't." Kero said. "It won't help us any, and our purpose is to find Nakita. Even if she is in there, I bet the dome is sealed tight."
"Too true." Vash said.
"All right then." I said. "Let's go." Vash went through his room again, and I followed. He closed the window glass gently, and then opened the door. Heart beating at a speed at about 200 beats per minute, I followed. We crept down the staircase softly, shriveled against the wall. Kero was hiding underneath my collar. Finally, we reached the end of the spiral staircase and came to a close, wooden door. Vash put his ear to the door and opened it.
The hallway was dark. Evidently, once the people went to sleep, the castle did too. We crept along wildly throughout the passages. Vash seemed to have every detail memorized and that I was grateful for. We crept along many places. It was hard to see, and it was so dark, but once I caught a glance of portraits and suits or armor. I was always afraid that someone was in them. Every shadow seemed like a person to me. But I didn't dare whimper. As if our feet didn't make enough noise already. I was glad I had not listened to my mother and worn the new shoes she had brought me a month ago. I didn't want to wear them because I liked my worn shoes, and the new one would take some time getting used to. But here, the new one would've banged on the floor while my old shoes shuffled and made almost next to no noise at all. Vash seemed to be looking around the place. I wondered how he could see any better than I could. Sure, I was near sighted, but he had glasses. I looked closer at him. Were those really glasses after all?
"This way." Vash said. I followed. Suddenly, his body rose. We were going up a set of stairs. Where we had been, from the top of the stairs, I could dimly make out a chandelier and a long hall. I didn't know which, but this was either the mess hall or a grand hall. The staircase turned left and I followed Vash. There was carpet beneath our feet, so we made little noise, yet we were careful not to make any noise.
"We're splitting up so we can try to get up to the dome both ways." Vash explained. "It's sealed. We're trying to save Nakita first and if we can't, then we'll be spies and at least get some information." I nodded and we kept on going. Left, right, climb through here; I was very tired when we finally stopped. Vash, puzzled, looked at me.
We were in front of a big, double door. I guessed that inside was the dome. Why didn't Vash open the door? Then I looked at the floor. You could see that a light was on.
Suddenly, the door opened and light flooded out. Vash and I, standing to the side of the door, were left in the shadows. Out came a face we did so recognize: the face of Lumbeus. Vash suddenly started to disappear. Following his lead, I did the same and so did Kero. Not a word was spoken. Lumbeus had moved several feet when I realized that Vash wasn't beside me anymore. I walked into the room, and bumped into something. Oh, luckily for me, it was only Vash. Still invincible, he pulled me towards some crates. We squeezed behind them and looked out.
We were in the circular dome, all right. There was a light coming from a ball of yellow flame at the top that shone over the room. That was the room's light. That was the dim yellow light that everyone across the country could see. And in the middle of the room, attached to the wall through this red, disgusting tube thing, was a box. It looked like a casket. Then I realized that it was open, the glass door was lying to a side. And Galdius was standing to the side of it, looking it. I exchanged a paralyzed look with Vash, and noticed that we both had become visible again. I now understood why Vash had waited. He knew that someone was inside, and even if we were invincible, it'd be strange if the door just opened by itself. Vash, at the moment, was starting at Galdius with pure hatred. He moved around the crates slowly, placing him between Galdius and me. I was glad he did, but it proved to be of a better purpose. I moved behind some more crates and summoned my wand very quietly. I was able to control it so no light escaped in the process. I went back to Vash. His sheath was pinned to his side and his hand was on the handle. I knew he planned to strike soon.
Galdius got up, and pulled the curtains down from the glass windows surrounding the dome. I was worried. Suppose the others thought that that mean Galdius and Vash were in a battle? But then, Vash had said that they shouldn't move until he gave the signal. Still, it worried me. Just then, after Galdius had done his job and returned to the side of the glass casket did I realize that the casket was glowing? Glowing silver, like a diamond. That was the light we had seen. But what in the world was inside it?
The door on the other side of the room opened, and a figure stepped in. A tall, sharp, ugly figure: Queen Jewel. She walked in and placed a hand on Galdius's shoulder.
"How long has Lair been gone?" She asked.
"About two days so far." Galdius said. "I think she's all right. Either way, she won't be able to get back until the next moon."
"Yes, that's a long time." Something by the door caught my attention. It seemed that the door was closing, but it took an awful long to close, and I thought I saw something by the door, but wasn't sure. It was gone in a flash. Vash was staring at the spot too. I looked around with worried eyes. Queen Jewel and Galdius were still staring into the casket.
"Lovely girl." Queen Jewel said. "We did a lovely job dressing Lair up." Vash and I exchanged terrified looks. Our theory had been proved. Nakita was in the casket.
"Yes, but I can't help noticing the holes in her ears." Galdius said. "What are those? We don't have holes in our ears, Mother. Do you think they'll notice?" Queen Jewel smiled, and shook her head.
"Don't worry, dear." She said. "And it's time to clear up. Time for bed." Galdius smiled.
"Go ahead Mother. Let me stay here for half an hour more." Queen Jewel yawned and smiled, her icy eyes looking straight at Galdius with what was considered a "warm" smile. She nodded and left.
Galdius turned back to the casket.
Vash wasn't staring at them anymore. Instead, he pointed to behind the crates. Kelli and Rene sneaked out. I supposed they had heard everything that had been said. Kelli came up to where Vash and I were and Rene crouched with me behind a crate.
"We're going to wait until he leaves and rescues her." Kelli whispered, the only thing that was said. Vash nodded.
"Sweet little thing." Galdius murmured, looking at Nakita. "How on earth did you survive on the Third Dimension? You should be here with me." The three of us girls both felt Vash tighten up and clench his fist. He didn't care take out his sword: It would make way too much noise. The rest of us tingled with fear. Galdius reached out to stroke Nakita's head (though we had no idea what he was doing, we couldn't see), said a few more words, and left the room, shutting off the dim yellow light. All was quiet.
"The light means the end of the day." Kelli whispered. We got out behind the crates. Rene offered to watch the door as we went over to the casket. Galdius had close and locket the casket, and Vash and Kelli couldn't get it open.
"Let me try." I said. "Lock Card, unlock this lock!" The lock slowly unlocked and the glass popped open at the hinges. Vash picked Nakita up and placed her on the floor. I returned the Lock Card back to its card form while they tried to wake Nakita up.
"I hope they haven't brainwashed her." Vash said. "They certainly had enough time." Nakita moaned and opened her eyes.
"Vash?" She asked.
"I'm here." Vash said, a little edgy about the brainwashing thing.
"Ooh, Vash." Nakita started to cry. She held out a hand and Kelli took it.
"It's all right." Kelli said. "Oh, do hush up Nakita, you're going to get us caught." Actually, it didn't make all that much noise, but still, Kelli was afraid, like the rest of us.
"When I got here, I fell into the mines, and a worker all dressed up in the scariest uniform turned me in here." Nakita said. "They questioned me and tried to get things out of me but I said little and kept my guard. They finally came to the conclusion that I had just dropped out of here either accidentally or as a spy. They sent a girl named Lair back to earth, and oh, I couldn't understand it. Then they took me to this dome and gave me a bed to sleep in, and it had walls. All I know is, I slept for a long time. There were times when I woke up and ate, but so far next to nothing has happened. Vash, what are you doing?" Vash had leaned up close and was sniffing her.
"Sleep Powder." He said drowsily. "Nakita, do us all a favor and go behind the crates to shake off the powder." Nakita did as she was told and returned.
"Is Cherry okay?" She asked, worried.
"Oh, fine." Kero said. "We've been talking care of her."
"I was so worried." Nakita said. "I wanted to fight back, but I had no knowledge of this place whatsoever and I was still pretending to be innocent. They wanted to drain my brain of knowledge or something but Galdius wouldn't let them."
"Then it's lucky." Kelli said. "That Galdius has a thing for you."
"He does not." Nakita said.
"Does to." Rene said. "Quick, I hear footsteps." We all ran behind the crates and crouched down. The door opened and Galdius, holding a candle, could be shown. He was singing what sounded like a lullaby and walked over to the casket saying "Good Night My Little Angel". Suddenly, his eyes widened.
"Nikki?" He asked.
"Quick." Kelli said. "Rene, you and I make way for it through that open door. He'll think one of us is Nakita sound the alarm and the others can get away." They started to run. Galdius snapped on the light and ran after them, but halted in the doorway and turned to look right behind the crates. And he spotted us.
"So there you are." He said, his voice deadly. Nakita clung onto Vash's arm and hid behind us.
"Don't worry Nakita." I said, because Vash stood paralyzed, glaring with the most deadliest eyes I've ever seen him make, and I knew that Vash was not in the mood to offer any comfort.
"Let her go." Galdius said. Rene and Kelli, realizing the situation, stopped running and came back, shutting the door. Kelli jammed the doorway shut and Rene pulled the casket over it. They snuck to the other side of the room and did the other door. Galdius didn't even notice. His gaze was focused on the three of us.
"Gee, I was about to say the same to you." Vash said. Rene mouthed if she should signal or not, and Kelli waved her away. It was not the time to signal just yet.
"Don't think you can get away with everything you do." Kelli said. She pulled out her sword and so did Vash. The two most powerful swords on both sides surrounded Galdius.
The battle had begun.
Galdius flew at us. Talking Nakita by her arms, I spread out my wings and with her flew to the other side of the room.
"Signal!" I said. Rene got up and aimed some Golden Rings at the window. The curtains burst into flames.
Down below, the other kids saw a burning flame and several explosions that looked like Golden Rings of fire: Rene's signal. Then, after it cleared, something came out and started to come down. It flew straight towards them. That thing spread into two, and then one stopped in mid-air and turned back. The other one kept going until it crashed several feet in the ground from them. Kanari ran over.
"Nakita!" She said, dragging Nakita into the bushes. Several guards had arrived at the scene but had not discovered the hideout yet. There were sure to, though. Doughboy twisted the thing open.
"Go in." He hissed. Kanari, with an unconscious Nakita in her arms, jumped down into the hole. Halfway down to the countryside, she spread out her wings and was able to land safely on the grass. Snowy did the same with Liz, and Doughboy climbed down several rungs and screwed the lid on tight. He then climbed down the rest of the rungs and reached the ground. Running towards the others, he said, "I really do hope they know where to find us."
By now it was already clear that something in the castle was going on. The guards had heard something, but that didn't mean anything, it could've been an animal. However, they just HAD to look up at the dome and see something. They notified the others and started racing up the stairs to get to the dome.
"Vash." Galdius was saying as I arrived back in the room. "What are you doing here? We're supposed to be on the same team."
"Never touch Nakita again." Vash said, sword aimed at Galdius.
"Vash, this isn't about Nakita." Kelli said.
"Or any of the other girls." Vash added. I wasn't sure if he meant to leave out Doughboy or not, I couldn't tell. "Stay away, big brother." Galdius chuckled. Slowly, he walked closer to Vash.
"Who are you telling me what I ought to do or should not do?" He asked. They plunged into a minute of sword fights. Finally, when all was visible again, we could see Galdius and his sword trying to break and tip over the Blue Mist.
"Aren't we going to fight?" Rene asked.
"Let a good knight defend himself unless you absolutely have to." Kelli said. "You forget we're ladies." There was a loud pounding at the door.
"Guards." I said. "Nakita and the others must have gone back t-" My mouth was suddenly covered and I realized I almost let the dwarf's secret leak out. When Kelli released my mouth again, I said, "Those guards must have seen the explosion."
"Okay, we can fight now." Kelli said, looking at the two straining men. "Soon Queen Jewel will be here." There came a loud screech as Anora spread out her wings (she had lay under a crate, hiding ever since Nakita was pulled out from behind the crates and the crates tipped over) and aimed her deadly claws at Galdius.
"Ah!" Galdius said and ducked for the moment. Anora left three scratch marks on his forehead, each about a fraction of a centimeter deep. Galdius felt his forehead. Blood. Charging at Anora wildly, he forgot totally about Vash, who took his sword and lunged at Galdius, planning to feel the soft, deep, flesh of Galdius's guts on his sword. But the strike never came.
At that very moment, the door banged open, right out of its hinges and Queen Jewel entered, blocking the blow with her long, iron thing with a ball and three claws at the top. I guessed that she hadn't the time to changer her weapon.
"Vash! Kelli!" She boomed. "What are you doing?" I was worried. Galdius and Queen Jewel stood between the opening in the glass and Vash.
"Sword Card!" I said. Taking out my sword, I charged at Queen Jewel. She took the blow and threw me halfway across the room. I crashed into a window and it broke. Tipping over with the hundred pieces of glass, I fell.
"That's why I don't practice." Queen Jewel said. "My muscle power builds up."
"But you've got to be old enough." Galdius said. There was a low growl in the room. Cerberus stood where a little Kero had once been. He had been brave enough and fortunate enough to get out of my collar. Rene stood between the rest of them and the army of guards by the door.
"Don't come another step." She said. One of the guards moved an inch just to show her who was boss. "Power Hoops!" Two shot out. I guess Rene needed work on that attack. She always used the other one. The result was terrible. One went straight for Vash, who ducked. It went right through a crate and shattered another window. The other one hit Queen Jewel's stick, left a hole straight across about three centimeters in diameter, bounced off, and shattered another window. Queen Jewel was outraged. It was in this time that I managed to get my wings straightly spread out and returned back to the battle scene.
"You are a foolish little girl." Queen Jewel said, steeping towards Rene. Rene aimed her Golden Rings at Queen Jewel in an attempt to protect herself. Queen Jewel stepped right through the middle of them, but they threw Galdius across the room. Meanwhile, another guard had gotten hold of Rene's arm and now she couldn't attack.
We were not going to get another girl captured I was sure of that. With my sword, I aimed as much as I could for the guy. The sword went straight across his arm, and it broke off. Not the sword, I mean, the arm. There was a great deal of howling and blood. Rene got out of the way and aimed her Golden Rings at the remaining guards. It hit them full force and they tumbled down the stairs in a large heap. We never saw them again.
Meanwhile, Galdius had landed right at Cerberus's feet. With a few swipes, Galdius was bleeding as much as he possibly could, as I thought. Queen Jewel was trying to fight off Vash and Kelli and Anora at the same time. Cerberus's front legs had a metal thing attached. It popped open. Vash and Kelli got the sign. Kelli ran towards a broken window and spread out her wings. Rene and I followed as fast as we could, grabbing Vash, one on each arm, and jumped. Soon, three figures were flapping their wings furiously. Or, should I say, two. Kelli was quite stable. There came an explosion noise and I knew what had happened. I heard him say it-
"Missile Launcher!"
It came like a deep growl, and suddenly there was the sound of a million bullets in the air. The bullets were hitting stuff. That bad by his foot had released thousands of small bullets. A saw two figures jump from the window: Galdius and Queen Jewel, with many red dots on their skin, around one or two centimeter's wide. From the way Galdius was screeching, I guessed that they were pretty deep and hurt. They landed with a huge noise in the grass nearby. We walked up to them cautiously. Kelli and Cerberus landed on the grass nearby.
They looked beat. The ambush seemed like it had worked. Now it only we could finish them off. But Lumbeus and the others were arriving. The six of us (including the animals this time) could fight well against two, or maybe even three or four, but eight and nine were hopeless.
"We shall meet again!" Galdius said, determined to be able to fight, but his condition was worse, much worse to be able to be considered a healthy knight.
"Chose your place." Queen Jewel spat on the ground. "And time."
"We will choose the area between the Santa Aria Shrine, the river being our boundaries." Vash said. "Bring as many of your men as you'd like. We will meet at high noon tomorrow."
"All right." Galdius said.
"Yes." Queen Jewel said, eyes glowing with rage. They were red, I had noticed. "Galdius will lead his army and attack. I will not attend. I never attend battles."
"All right." Vash said. "Let's go." Rene and I grabbed his arm again and we lifted off. We drifted off towards the way of the mines and disappeared. The battle would begin.
Vash: Why it it called the Ignoramus?
Me: Becaue Galdius makes a fool of himself.
Vash: o
Me: *sigh* Please review, Vash...I'm working on the next one, so don't worry. This is my longest one yet, but now we start into the battles. Not as many dialouges in this one.
Kanari: Yeah, I've noticed, it isn't that long.
Rene: Hey. *enters* I've noticed.
Me: How do you like your role?
Rene: All right, I like being a hero.
Me: *sad smile* Okay, it's 8:25 now, I'm going to rest
Vash: *looks hopeful*
Me: And write...[*groan*] I usually like writing. I want to write Jewel Quest, but I'm just so tired, and yet I can't seem to stop writing!
Vash: YES!!!
Kanari: And may I ask why?
Vash: *smack* That's only for negotiating class? Who cares as long as she's writing?
Kanari: *shrug* oh, okay.
Me: *sad smile* and so innocent little being with no clue what might happen...*looks at Kanari and Vash* Do please read.
Vash: Okay, okay, we are, don't have to be so dramatic!
Me: I'm feeling tired today after writing this...But Jewel Quest is a story that I can write in whatever mood I'm in, and the plot is SO good that, well, I have to finish Jewel Quest so I can start on Black Magic so I can have a stable condition so that I can start writing all the other stories.
Kanari: Enough said, now let's read!!!:
The Ignoramus
"Okay, Rene, you go with Kelli and I'll go with Yuki." Vash said. "We'll go to the right and you go to the left. Meet up at the dome."
"Okay." Kelli said. She reached for Rene's hand. "C'mon."
"Where and what are we supposed to do exactly?" I asked Vash. He walked over to the ivy and started to climb. "Need a lift?"
"Sure." We reached the tower again. Vash closed his eyes and concentrated very hard. Suddenly, he was gone before my eyes. But only for a second. The next moment, he popped right back up again.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I can't do it as well as Kelli can." He said. "You try it. Think about being invisible." I tried.
"Not working." Kero said quietly. In all the midst of the excitement, I mad forgotten he lay curled up under my collar. I tired harder. Cherry had been left with Kanari.
"Stop thinking." Vash said.
"What?" I asked.
"Stop thinking of other things and just of being invisible." He replied.
"Okay, I can do this." I winced. C'mon. This was vital. What would it be like to be invincible? Awfully cool. I concentrated harder. Suddenly, I felt icy cold. Opening my eyes, I looked down. I couldn't see anything.
"What?" I asked. Then I saw my body again.
"Cool, eh?" Vash asked. "It lasts for a second after you lose power."
"Wow." I said. "Kero, try it. You're gonna need it too." Kero tried as was only as successful as Vash.
"Girls do it better." Vash said. "C'mon, we have to move around the castle."
"Can't we just fly up there?" I asked, pointing to the dome on the very top. Vash thought about this.
"We'd be very likely to be seen." He said.
"And to be invincible at the same time?" I asked.
"How would you carry me up there?" He asked. I pulled out my necklace.
"The Fly Card." I said.
"We can't." Kero said. "It won't help us any, and our purpose is to find Nakita. Even if she is in there, I bet the dome is sealed tight."
"Too true." Vash said.
"All right then." I said. "Let's go." Vash went through his room again, and I followed. He closed the window glass gently, and then opened the door. Heart beating at a speed at about 200 beats per minute, I followed. We crept down the staircase softly, shriveled against the wall. Kero was hiding underneath my collar. Finally, we reached the end of the spiral staircase and came to a close, wooden door. Vash put his ear to the door and opened it.
The hallway was dark. Evidently, once the people went to sleep, the castle did too. We crept along wildly throughout the passages. Vash seemed to have every detail memorized and that I was grateful for. We crept along many places. It was hard to see, and it was so dark, but once I caught a glance of portraits and suits or armor. I was always afraid that someone was in them. Every shadow seemed like a person to me. But I didn't dare whimper. As if our feet didn't make enough noise already. I was glad I had not listened to my mother and worn the new shoes she had brought me a month ago. I didn't want to wear them because I liked my worn shoes, and the new one would take some time getting used to. But here, the new one would've banged on the floor while my old shoes shuffled and made almost next to no noise at all. Vash seemed to be looking around the place. I wondered how he could see any better than I could. Sure, I was near sighted, but he had glasses. I looked closer at him. Were those really glasses after all?
"This way." Vash said. I followed. Suddenly, his body rose. We were going up a set of stairs. Where we had been, from the top of the stairs, I could dimly make out a chandelier and a long hall. I didn't know which, but this was either the mess hall or a grand hall. The staircase turned left and I followed Vash. There was carpet beneath our feet, so we made little noise, yet we were careful not to make any noise.
"We're splitting up so we can try to get up to the dome both ways." Vash explained. "It's sealed. We're trying to save Nakita first and if we can't, then we'll be spies and at least get some information." I nodded and we kept on going. Left, right, climb through here; I was very tired when we finally stopped. Vash, puzzled, looked at me.
We were in front of a big, double door. I guessed that inside was the dome. Why didn't Vash open the door? Then I looked at the floor. You could see that a light was on.
Suddenly, the door opened and light flooded out. Vash and I, standing to the side of the door, were left in the shadows. Out came a face we did so recognize: the face of Lumbeus. Vash suddenly started to disappear. Following his lead, I did the same and so did Kero. Not a word was spoken. Lumbeus had moved several feet when I realized that Vash wasn't beside me anymore. I walked into the room, and bumped into something. Oh, luckily for me, it was only Vash. Still invincible, he pulled me towards some crates. We squeezed behind them and looked out.
We were in the circular dome, all right. There was a light coming from a ball of yellow flame at the top that shone over the room. That was the room's light. That was the dim yellow light that everyone across the country could see. And in the middle of the room, attached to the wall through this red, disgusting tube thing, was a box. It looked like a casket. Then I realized that it was open, the glass door was lying to a side. And Galdius was standing to the side of it, looking it. I exchanged a paralyzed look with Vash, and noticed that we both had become visible again. I now understood why Vash had waited. He knew that someone was inside, and even if we were invincible, it'd be strange if the door just opened by itself. Vash, at the moment, was starting at Galdius with pure hatred. He moved around the crates slowly, placing him between Galdius and me. I was glad he did, but it proved to be of a better purpose. I moved behind some more crates and summoned my wand very quietly. I was able to control it so no light escaped in the process. I went back to Vash. His sheath was pinned to his side and his hand was on the handle. I knew he planned to strike soon.
Galdius got up, and pulled the curtains down from the glass windows surrounding the dome. I was worried. Suppose the others thought that that mean Galdius and Vash were in a battle? But then, Vash had said that they shouldn't move until he gave the signal. Still, it worried me. Just then, after Galdius had done his job and returned to the side of the glass casket did I realize that the casket was glowing? Glowing silver, like a diamond. That was the light we had seen. But what in the world was inside it?
The door on the other side of the room opened, and a figure stepped in. A tall, sharp, ugly figure: Queen Jewel. She walked in and placed a hand on Galdius's shoulder.
"How long has Lair been gone?" She asked.
"About two days so far." Galdius said. "I think she's all right. Either way, she won't be able to get back until the next moon."
"Yes, that's a long time." Something by the door caught my attention. It seemed that the door was closing, but it took an awful long to close, and I thought I saw something by the door, but wasn't sure. It was gone in a flash. Vash was staring at the spot too. I looked around with worried eyes. Queen Jewel and Galdius were still staring into the casket.
"Lovely girl." Queen Jewel said. "We did a lovely job dressing Lair up." Vash and I exchanged terrified looks. Our theory had been proved. Nakita was in the casket.
"Yes, but I can't help noticing the holes in her ears." Galdius said. "What are those? We don't have holes in our ears, Mother. Do you think they'll notice?" Queen Jewel smiled, and shook her head.
"Don't worry, dear." She said. "And it's time to clear up. Time for bed." Galdius smiled.
"Go ahead Mother. Let me stay here for half an hour more." Queen Jewel yawned and smiled, her icy eyes looking straight at Galdius with what was considered a "warm" smile. She nodded and left.
Galdius turned back to the casket.
Vash wasn't staring at them anymore. Instead, he pointed to behind the crates. Kelli and Rene sneaked out. I supposed they had heard everything that had been said. Kelli came up to where Vash and I were and Rene crouched with me behind a crate.
"We're going to wait until he leaves and rescues her." Kelli whispered, the only thing that was said. Vash nodded.
"Sweet little thing." Galdius murmured, looking at Nakita. "How on earth did you survive on the Third Dimension? You should be here with me." The three of us girls both felt Vash tighten up and clench his fist. He didn't care take out his sword: It would make way too much noise. The rest of us tingled with fear. Galdius reached out to stroke Nakita's head (though we had no idea what he was doing, we couldn't see), said a few more words, and left the room, shutting off the dim yellow light. All was quiet.
"The light means the end of the day." Kelli whispered. We got out behind the crates. Rene offered to watch the door as we went over to the casket. Galdius had close and locket the casket, and Vash and Kelli couldn't get it open.
"Let me try." I said. "Lock Card, unlock this lock!" The lock slowly unlocked and the glass popped open at the hinges. Vash picked Nakita up and placed her on the floor. I returned the Lock Card back to its card form while they tried to wake Nakita up.
"I hope they haven't brainwashed her." Vash said. "They certainly had enough time." Nakita moaned and opened her eyes.
"Vash?" She asked.
"I'm here." Vash said, a little edgy about the brainwashing thing.
"Ooh, Vash." Nakita started to cry. She held out a hand and Kelli took it.
"It's all right." Kelli said. "Oh, do hush up Nakita, you're going to get us caught." Actually, it didn't make all that much noise, but still, Kelli was afraid, like the rest of us.
"When I got here, I fell into the mines, and a worker all dressed up in the scariest uniform turned me in here." Nakita said. "They questioned me and tried to get things out of me but I said little and kept my guard. They finally came to the conclusion that I had just dropped out of here either accidentally or as a spy. They sent a girl named Lair back to earth, and oh, I couldn't understand it. Then they took me to this dome and gave me a bed to sleep in, and it had walls. All I know is, I slept for a long time. There were times when I woke up and ate, but so far next to nothing has happened. Vash, what are you doing?" Vash had leaned up close and was sniffing her.
"Sleep Powder." He said drowsily. "Nakita, do us all a favor and go behind the crates to shake off the powder." Nakita did as she was told and returned.
"Is Cherry okay?" She asked, worried.
"Oh, fine." Kero said. "We've been talking care of her."
"I was so worried." Nakita said. "I wanted to fight back, but I had no knowledge of this place whatsoever and I was still pretending to be innocent. They wanted to drain my brain of knowledge or something but Galdius wouldn't let them."
"Then it's lucky." Kelli said. "That Galdius has a thing for you."
"He does not." Nakita said.
"Does to." Rene said. "Quick, I hear footsteps." We all ran behind the crates and crouched down. The door opened and Galdius, holding a candle, could be shown. He was singing what sounded like a lullaby and walked over to the casket saying "Good Night My Little Angel". Suddenly, his eyes widened.
"Nikki?" He asked.
"Quick." Kelli said. "Rene, you and I make way for it through that open door. He'll think one of us is Nakita sound the alarm and the others can get away." They started to run. Galdius snapped on the light and ran after them, but halted in the doorway and turned to look right behind the crates. And he spotted us.
"So there you are." He said, his voice deadly. Nakita clung onto Vash's arm and hid behind us.
"Don't worry Nakita." I said, because Vash stood paralyzed, glaring with the most deadliest eyes I've ever seen him make, and I knew that Vash was not in the mood to offer any comfort.
"Let her go." Galdius said. Rene and Kelli, realizing the situation, stopped running and came back, shutting the door. Kelli jammed the doorway shut and Rene pulled the casket over it. They snuck to the other side of the room and did the other door. Galdius didn't even notice. His gaze was focused on the three of us.
"Gee, I was about to say the same to you." Vash said. Rene mouthed if she should signal or not, and Kelli waved her away. It was not the time to signal just yet.
"Don't think you can get away with everything you do." Kelli said. She pulled out her sword and so did Vash. The two most powerful swords on both sides surrounded Galdius.
The battle had begun.
Galdius flew at us. Talking Nakita by her arms, I spread out my wings and with her flew to the other side of the room.
"Signal!" I said. Rene got up and aimed some Golden Rings at the window. The curtains burst into flames.
Down below, the other kids saw a burning flame and several explosions that looked like Golden Rings of fire: Rene's signal. Then, after it cleared, something came out and started to come down. It flew straight towards them. That thing spread into two, and then one stopped in mid-air and turned back. The other one kept going until it crashed several feet in the ground from them. Kanari ran over.
"Nakita!" She said, dragging Nakita into the bushes. Several guards had arrived at the scene but had not discovered the hideout yet. There were sure to, though. Doughboy twisted the thing open.
"Go in." He hissed. Kanari, with an unconscious Nakita in her arms, jumped down into the hole. Halfway down to the countryside, she spread out her wings and was able to land safely on the grass. Snowy did the same with Liz, and Doughboy climbed down several rungs and screwed the lid on tight. He then climbed down the rest of the rungs and reached the ground. Running towards the others, he said, "I really do hope they know where to find us."
By now it was already clear that something in the castle was going on. The guards had heard something, but that didn't mean anything, it could've been an animal. However, they just HAD to look up at the dome and see something. They notified the others and started racing up the stairs to get to the dome.
"Vash." Galdius was saying as I arrived back in the room. "What are you doing here? We're supposed to be on the same team."
"Never touch Nakita again." Vash said, sword aimed at Galdius.
"Vash, this isn't about Nakita." Kelli said.
"Or any of the other girls." Vash added. I wasn't sure if he meant to leave out Doughboy or not, I couldn't tell. "Stay away, big brother." Galdius chuckled. Slowly, he walked closer to Vash.
"Who are you telling me what I ought to do or should not do?" He asked. They plunged into a minute of sword fights. Finally, when all was visible again, we could see Galdius and his sword trying to break and tip over the Blue Mist.
"Aren't we going to fight?" Rene asked.
"Let a good knight defend himself unless you absolutely have to." Kelli said. "You forget we're ladies." There was a loud pounding at the door.
"Guards." I said. "Nakita and the others must have gone back t-" My mouth was suddenly covered and I realized I almost let the dwarf's secret leak out. When Kelli released my mouth again, I said, "Those guards must have seen the explosion."
"Okay, we can fight now." Kelli said, looking at the two straining men. "Soon Queen Jewel will be here." There came a loud screech as Anora spread out her wings (she had lay under a crate, hiding ever since Nakita was pulled out from behind the crates and the crates tipped over) and aimed her deadly claws at Galdius.
"Ah!" Galdius said and ducked for the moment. Anora left three scratch marks on his forehead, each about a fraction of a centimeter deep. Galdius felt his forehead. Blood. Charging at Anora wildly, he forgot totally about Vash, who took his sword and lunged at Galdius, planning to feel the soft, deep, flesh of Galdius's guts on his sword. But the strike never came.
At that very moment, the door banged open, right out of its hinges and Queen Jewel entered, blocking the blow with her long, iron thing with a ball and three claws at the top. I guessed that she hadn't the time to changer her weapon.
"Vash! Kelli!" She boomed. "What are you doing?" I was worried. Galdius and Queen Jewel stood between the opening in the glass and Vash.
"Sword Card!" I said. Taking out my sword, I charged at Queen Jewel. She took the blow and threw me halfway across the room. I crashed into a window and it broke. Tipping over with the hundred pieces of glass, I fell.
"That's why I don't practice." Queen Jewel said. "My muscle power builds up."
"But you've got to be old enough." Galdius said. There was a low growl in the room. Cerberus stood where a little Kero had once been. He had been brave enough and fortunate enough to get out of my collar. Rene stood between the rest of them and the army of guards by the door.
"Don't come another step." She said. One of the guards moved an inch just to show her who was boss. "Power Hoops!" Two shot out. I guess Rene needed work on that attack. She always used the other one. The result was terrible. One went straight for Vash, who ducked. It went right through a crate and shattered another window. The other one hit Queen Jewel's stick, left a hole straight across about three centimeters in diameter, bounced off, and shattered another window. Queen Jewel was outraged. It was in this time that I managed to get my wings straightly spread out and returned back to the battle scene.
"You are a foolish little girl." Queen Jewel said, steeping towards Rene. Rene aimed her Golden Rings at Queen Jewel in an attempt to protect herself. Queen Jewel stepped right through the middle of them, but they threw Galdius across the room. Meanwhile, another guard had gotten hold of Rene's arm and now she couldn't attack.
We were not going to get another girl captured I was sure of that. With my sword, I aimed as much as I could for the guy. The sword went straight across his arm, and it broke off. Not the sword, I mean, the arm. There was a great deal of howling and blood. Rene got out of the way and aimed her Golden Rings at the remaining guards. It hit them full force and they tumbled down the stairs in a large heap. We never saw them again.
Meanwhile, Galdius had landed right at Cerberus's feet. With a few swipes, Galdius was bleeding as much as he possibly could, as I thought. Queen Jewel was trying to fight off Vash and Kelli and Anora at the same time. Cerberus's front legs had a metal thing attached. It popped open. Vash and Kelli got the sign. Kelli ran towards a broken window and spread out her wings. Rene and I followed as fast as we could, grabbing Vash, one on each arm, and jumped. Soon, three figures were flapping their wings furiously. Or, should I say, two. Kelli was quite stable. There came an explosion noise and I knew what had happened. I heard him say it-
"Missile Launcher!"
It came like a deep growl, and suddenly there was the sound of a million bullets in the air. The bullets were hitting stuff. That bad by his foot had released thousands of small bullets. A saw two figures jump from the window: Galdius and Queen Jewel, with many red dots on their skin, around one or two centimeter's wide. From the way Galdius was screeching, I guessed that they were pretty deep and hurt. They landed with a huge noise in the grass nearby. We walked up to them cautiously. Kelli and Cerberus landed on the grass nearby.
They looked beat. The ambush seemed like it had worked. Now it only we could finish them off. But Lumbeus and the others were arriving. The six of us (including the animals this time) could fight well against two, or maybe even three or four, but eight and nine were hopeless.
"We shall meet again!" Galdius said, determined to be able to fight, but his condition was worse, much worse to be able to be considered a healthy knight.
"Chose your place." Queen Jewel spat on the ground. "And time."
"We will choose the area between the Santa Aria Shrine, the river being our boundaries." Vash said. "Bring as many of your men as you'd like. We will meet at high noon tomorrow."
"All right." Galdius said.
"Yes." Queen Jewel said, eyes glowing with rage. They were red, I had noticed. "Galdius will lead his army and attack. I will not attend. I never attend battles."
"All right." Vash said. "Let's go." Rene and I grabbed his arm again and we lifted off. We drifted off towards the way of the mines and disappeared. The battle would begin.
Vash: Why it it called the Ignoramus?
Me: Becaue Galdius makes a fool of himself.
Vash: o
Me: *sigh* Please review, Vash...I'm working on the next one, so don't worry. This is my longest one yet, but now we start into the battles. Not as many dialouges in this one.
Kanari: Yeah, I've noticed, it isn't that long.
Rene: Hey. *enters* I've noticed.
Me: How do you like your role?
Rene: All right, I like being a hero.
Me: *sad smile* Okay, it's 8:25 now, I'm going to rest
Vash: *looks hopeful*
Me: And write...[*groan*] I usually like writing. I want to write Jewel Quest, but I'm just so tired, and yet I can't seem to stop writing!
