OSR 2: Second Journey In
10 years ago when Earth had won the 'Great Race' everything changed, a peace had risen across the galaxy like never before...the Krogs had given up, not because of Earth's 'lucky break' as they called it...but it was due more to the fact Kross, their leader had been...struck down by a weaker opponent. Colonel Toros...or General rather, since he was the fiercest next to Kross, had not given a thought to surrendering, it was only a matter of time before they would embark on another invasion and send Earth packing their bags...unless they destroyed them beforehand.
He had a tough decision to make about Nourasia, whether or not he would bring them in and halt the mission, however the Royal Idiots (The King and Queen, not to mention Prince Aikka) helped him out with that when all three fired arrows at their so called 'Alliance' taking down all hope of ruling.
Toros vowed to make sure all who corrupted his plans would end up serving him once he became ruler, either that or turned em into mince meat on a platter (Eww).
Jordan on the other hand, was facing the biggest problem of all, he already knew how to take charge and defend the galaxy of any threats thanks to the Creators help...he sorted out powers possible for Avatar, but what he couldn't extend was his life. Yes he the almighty Avatar had a weakness, like all Avatars did at the end of 10,000 years, however something on Oban was slowly killing him.
It was more of a someone, Canaletto had survived the only way he could, taking over someone else's living form once they had died...who was this someone you may ask? Ir was Kross, and although Jordan had locked him up somehow, someway, Canaletto had found a way to infect Jordan with a sickness he could not get rid of. And no matter how much Jordan had wanted to help the galaxy, there was no doubt that whatever he got infected with would not let him last the full 10,000 years. He could no longer take all the anxiety attacks, trouble breathing, the hallucinations etc. It was then he had decided to create a challenge above all others, one which would shake the entire galaxy apart.
One person from each planet would attend this race...but how to choose them? The avatar must have browsed over 300 planets before finally deciding to select competators for the next competition, however, due to several unexpected calculations...things took a turn for the worse...
There was a sudden explosion as he was trying to bring each competator to Oban, yet instead of bringing just one person he brought along two.
"This is a disaster." Jordan said rubbing his temples in frustration.
"Can't we send them back?" Someone said from behind. One of his assistants he had hired on. That was another thing if he was going to be Avatar he'd have real assistants, he wasn't going to go around claiming to be something he wasn't.
"Too late I'm afraid. They're already on their way."
"Make them compete." Said a second voice. This time a female assistant. "Should make it very interesting." Jordan only shook his head. "There's already more than enough people competing, there's no need to overdo it."
On Planet Earth
Arianna Wei watched as the cars went by, other than that there were no other signs of life, not with the oncoming dark purple clouds above threatening to unload a rainstorm upon them.
"Are you gonna stay there all night Ari?" A young female voice said from the other side of the room.
"A storm is coming, you know how much I love rainstorms Eva."
"I do too." Molly said watching the lightening strike from a distance "I wish it could wash me away, and into another world."
"Thinking about Oban AGAIN?" She laughed. "Oh no wait, let me guess your waiting for mr. Knight in shining armor...your prince!" She mocked.
"Ari..." Molly growled in frustration as her cousin had hit a nerve. "Don't do this." It had been quite painful for her thinking about the Prince and Oban all these years later without Arianna giving her grief about it...why she had to pick the only person who she thought would be supportive.
"Really Eva, you expect me to believe in something as far fetched as that? Do you know how that sounds?"
"Says the girl who loves to read fantasy books." Molly muttered under her breath, meanwhile watching Arianna open up the door she continued. "What are you doing?"
"Taking a shower what's it look like I'm doing?" Arianna said. "Are you coming or not?" Molly did not feel like being left alone at the moment so she followed.
"Hey look.." Molly pointed. "A puddle."
"That's one BIG puddle." Arianna observed. "Lets jump in it! Last one there's a wet noodle!" Arianna giggled heading for the 'little puddle'
"We're already-hey wait!" Molly tried to catch up with Arianna who was halfway in the puddle already, Molly did a silly stunt and dived headfirst into it...that's when she felt a horrible pain in her side. She gasped for air, something wasn't right, why was she swimming down? And what happened to Arianna?
"Arianna! Where are you?" Molly yelled when she climbed from the pool and onto the landscape, which had completely changed in appearance. "Oban...it can't be, my clothes..." Molly was quite glad she wasn't wearing her nightgown for bed, instead she wore a a purple shirt..which was tied in a knot at the front, black pants and her hair was medium length, and it was a mix between black and red.
Hearing footsteps behind she turned hoping against hope that Arianna was behind her, instead silver eyes glared back at her just as confused, he was Nourasian no doubt about that, his dark curly was tossed to and fro causing his headpeace, which he had been trying to fix when they ran into eachother to fall off. For a moment they just stood there in complete silence wondering what to say. Finally Molly was the one to break it up. "I got separated from my cousin...seen anyone else around?" She bowed to the Nourasian as he was in a prince's attire. "Your heiness."
Molly could see that he was in complete shock at first when she did however he bowed back. "No one besides you,." Molly frowned, he gazed at her in question before continuing "I just hope we aren't the only two here."
"Care to join me?" She held up her arm waiting for him to take it, he just looked at her with a rather odd expression on his face. "Better two heads than one..." He still just stared at her like she was crazy so she put her arm down deciding on a new tactic. "The name's Molly."
"Prince Ekerian." He bowed.
"Prince? But I thought Aikka was the Prince?"
"He was, until a lone Krog decided to invade our planet during the night...he slaughtered Aikka's parents...without his fathers blessings he isn't able to become ruler."
"Poor Aikka.." Molly said.
"It just so happens he might be here...I lost him as I entered the forest." He decided to ask the question that had been nagging at him earlier. "How do you know of my cousin?"
"We met on Oban several years ago, well actually Alwas, we helped eachother out here and there during parts of the race."
"The winner of Oban." Ekerian stated, he didn't need her confirmation to know that it was true, because as Aikka had explained she had been the only female of the group. Aikka had talked about the whole ordeal to death, and he was utterly sick of it.
"Yeah well I don't feel like a winner right now." Molly said. "His parents are dead and its probably my fault." Ekerian agreed with that statement but didn't give voice to it. "So, should we travel on?"
"After you." Said Ekerian wishing he could have run into some other creature, humans as you have gathered, were not on his top favorite list.
Arianna was quite baffled by the scene she saw before her...what was this place? And why was she wearing different attire? A long pink shirt, with a white skirt, and her long hair was pulled back into a ponytale (The style was similar to the way Kikyo from Inuyasha wears her hair..)
"Eva! Stop hiding from me..I don't like it when you play these sort of games...its not funny!" Nobody answered her, with the exception of some small stork-like creatures who were cawwing at Arianna for being too noisy. Being by herself, Arianna felt more alone then usual, she also had a strong sensation something...or someone was watching her.
Indeed, two pairs of eyes had been upon her for the last half hour, one gold the other blue...but they dare not make a move for fear she would strike them down with an almighty punch or scream. Arianna came across a clearing to where she saw the most strangest creature in the world. He/She/It was covered from head to toe in red armor, and the skin looked charred, with eyes of gold coloring. This thing didn't look very mean...well not at first.
"Pardon the intrusion, but would you mind telling me-"
"Why must you interfere with the galaxy?" The harsh toned male voice spoke out from a distance...when Arianna didn't say anything he continued his little speech. "A human like yourself should not waste time with games...leave all important matters to the Krogs." He came a bit closer, she took a step back, noticing he was three times her size, she didn't want to be squished.
"I don't care about...look would you just answer my question?" Though she knew her question would never be answered since he cut across it in mid-sentence.
"No, Krogs have no right to enter in the pathetic matter of humans, if you value your life you will leave before something bad happens." He came even closer, and she was faced with a difficult decision...should she run..or stand her ground? "I, uh..."
"You must be stupid." He let the last word hang for a few seconds. "And wish to die earlier then expected." The brute grabbed her neck and pinned Arianna against a tree. "The Ultimate Prize, as I've said belongs to the Krogs, and if that means killing those who stand in our way...so-be-it."
"Toros!" a voice yelled from out of nowhere while another voice shouted. "Drop her!" Toros turned to see two sets of bows in his direction, one with an arrow and the other held a blade ready to aim and fire if need be.
"If it isn't the former Prince of Nourasia, and a filthy mixed breed..." Toros sneered.
"I say again drop her or else!" The golden eyed male said ready to release his dagger from the bow.
"Associating with humans again Aikka? or is this one made from your own doing?" That statement caused Aikka to become a bit angrier, but he held his stance beside the Monutian.
"I hadn't expected the highest ranking general to have a death wish...or are you just naive?" Aikka remarked. To which Toros gave an angry growl and advanced towards them, dropping Arianna in the process. Aikka's aim hit its mark a bit off, but his arrow sliced open Toros' shoulder.
"What's the matter Prince? Did the loss of your parents steal the aim in your heart?"
"Stay calm..." The Monutian whispered from behind Aikka.."If he gets any closer let me strike." Toros kept a wary watch on the sharp blades, which grew closer every step the General took, he finally figured out it was best to leave. "Nevermind, until we meet again...I won't go easy on you."
Arianna looked towards her saviors, who had looked upon her with such worry in their eyes...they had almost the same features, except the golden eyed one had light blue skin, with messy navy blue hair...his outift was like that of Nourasia...except he had golden buttons down the middle of his shirt..and what's more he had 3 golden earrings (small loops) in both his ears, which were small pointed and against his face.
The other one had a slightly brown skin tone, orangish, honey hair which dappled over his ears, niether curly, nor straight and he wore...(A/N Lets just say he's wearing the same outift he always does.) his ears were pointed away from his face, making his face seem, small..like a childs...his eyes were deep pools of blue..such kind eyes.
"Has he hurt you?" the blue eyed one asked holding out his hand for her, which she grabbed and stood up.
"Well, my neck hurts...but that's about it, thank you for saving me."
"Nothing to it.." The blue skinned one said nodding his head while the brown skinned one bowed to her "Might I ask your name?"
"Arianna..." something clicked in the back of her mind. "Aikka...you wouldn't happen to be the same one who raced against my cousin 10 years ago?"
"You mean Molly?" Aikka asked with a note of happiness in his voice.
"Err..I believe she called herself that...yes...and I assume she's here somewhere."
"Well, lets find her, and Ekerian." Aikka told them which Arianna nodded in approval, when all of the sudden she forgot something. "I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting your acquaintance..."
"Bei Berou.." he said kindly, trying his best to bow like Aikka, yet doing a very poor job.
"What did Toros mean when he was talking about cross breeds?"
"Mixed breed." Aikka corrected her. "Well...would you like to explain?" He asked Bei Berou.
"No, but since you pinned it on me...A Monutian is a mix between Nourasian and Human, and when the two combine you get me." he said.
"And there is another point to make, if a Monutian is born unwillingly, his ears become looped." Aikka told her, now she was a bit confused. "Born...unwillingly?"
"Yes..." Bei Berou said a bit uncomfortable "Meaning one party had been forced to mate with the other one...they were chained to a stable surface."
"Urgh..." Arianna said, not liking the images in her head one bit.
"My thoughts exactly.." Bei Berou announced.
"So what happens if we don't find who we're looking for?" Molly asked suddenly
"What makes you say that?" Ekerian wondered.
"excuze meh." said a voice which sounded russian. "Haf aney uf yew ceen somwohn thagt lukx lik meh?" he asked...this alien looked very much like one of the scrubs, except a bit taller, with short black hair, brown eyes and purple robe with gold trim.
"Err..what?" Molly asked.
"He's wondering if we've seen any of his comrads." Ekerian pointed out...the scrubby alien nodded.
"Oh sorry...no." Molly said apologetically
"Vel, thagnx anyvay." he said walking off.
"Wait...we're also looking for family...would you like to join us...I am Ekerian and this is Molly."
"Eh, Vell I doht knov, sunds lik ah gud ideea, e ahm Zophratiel.."
"Can I call you Zof?" Molly asked, finally catching on to his accent.
"Zof! Ha! Ah neecknahme iz et? Migt az whel...evey un elz doze." Molly laughed...this guy was funny.
"Laughter will get you nowhere." said a harsh voice.
"General Toros!" Ekerain yelled in shock. "What are you doing here?"
"Trying to find my Colonel...Well looky here, another earthling..how, wait..your the same one from Alwas!"
'Another Earthling?' All of them thought together. "I am...you've seen my Cousin?"
"And the traitorous Prince!" He sniped.
"Our kind are not traitors Toros...we don't need you to bully us around." Ekerian was bold, Toros was about to question his remark when he decided otherwise as a howl came from beyond their clearing.
"Thagt sunds lik une uf da wulfs." Zof said when Toros had gone "Wolves?" Molly wondered.
"eye sah hiem ah wile agoo, muxt bi-" but at that moment Zof was cut off by a large boom, and a ball of light had entered next to them. "Wat en da werld?"
"PRINCE AIKKA!" A loud voice echoed from half a mile away.
"Rush?" Aaaahhhgggg! Put me down, put me down-c-can't b-b-breath..." He had consumed Aikka in a hug, one which the former Prince was glad to share if he hadn't been crushing him to death.
"Oh, sorry bout that...where abouts are we?"
"We're on Oban."
"Oban, what a place...truly remarkable...but what are you doing back?"
"That is a question I've been asking ever since I arrived." Aikka told the big boned guy. Behind them Arianna was hiding behind Bei Berou...not completely sure if she should trust a giant or not, she could not question it any longer when yet another boom was heard and this time a glow appeared beside them.
"Aikka, of Nourasia...you have been summoned to the Avatar's hall." the glowing orb said.
"How do I get there?" I don't even know where I am?" He asked the glowing orb..which oddly enough had someone inside it.
"Climb in!" The figure spoke, opening up the ball of energy. Aikka did as he was told looking at who had spoken...it was a woman...whose whole body looked like icing, her hair was silver, bangs shaped like a large leaf which continued all the way down her back, her eyes were light green...and she had a red with white spotted neckbrace the cloth reached all the way down to her legs...making her seem...dollish. "I am Cyper...one of the Avatar's assistants."
"Eva Wei, A.K.A. Molly, you are hereby summoned to the Avatar's temple." said the blue glowing orb.
"Erm..well I don't know where it is." Molly said truthfully.
"Come...we shall venture there together." the orb opened up and Molly saw the figure of a boy not much older then 10 or so.. he had silver short hair and blue eyes, with magenta robes..."I am Cyperous, head assistant to the avatar."
'Well, at least I know he's an actual assistant.' Molly thought to herself. wishing the other two farewell.
"Now what?" Arianna asked the other two.
"Now...we wait." Bei Berou commented...leaning against a nearby tree.
"Wait, for a new beginning." Rush said..sitting down next to Bei Berou.
This was totally weird...it wasn't like most people to just sit there and wait for something to happen, especially in unfamiliar territory, however Arianna couldn't argue and sat down next to her new found friends.
"Vel, eye suspegt ve shuld cit dohn eand waiht fur hur to comb bak." Zof said.
"Hmmm...or else we could travel on, and see if we can find the others."
"Naw, tu riskey...eventulely ve vill find them."
"If you say so." Ekerian told his little friend.
X_X_X_X_X
They were being transported rather quickly, Molly almost found it hard to sit in one position, due to the fact the orb was swirling around in a most round about kind of way. Cyperous pointed out that unless you wanted to actually stay put, you'd be spinning as fast as the ball would be.
"Oh I definetely think this is better." Molly chirped up sarcastically.
"We'll be there soon." Cyperous said in a robotic tone...one which she found...a bit scary. (Picture the voice of Deo from Last Exile...If you haven't seen it...Barry the Chopper's voice from FMA).
"He's really outdone himself this time." Molly said noting the large temple in front of them, which at this time was not hovering on the ground, 'Its too big to float.' Molly guessed, the large sqaure building was sitting on top of a cirular landscape of rock..
"His imagination may be strong, yet the Avatar's magic is weakening." Cyperous said, floating them into the castle-like structure, where she saw a slumped up form lying underneath many blankets.
"Jordan!" Molly gasped, running out of the bubble, which Cyperous had put on the ground not a moment too soon. "Jordan are you alright?"
"Molly...its ok...just tired..." She was not aware Aikka had taken a place right behind her, Jordan saw him and continued on with his little discussion. "You...came here by accident...I haven't the strength...for taking you back." he said under immense pain in his chest.
"Well...I'm not going to race again...I'm not fond of being Avatar...no offense."
"You aren't the one who I chose to race...Arianna...and...Ekerian are the chosen ones." he said trying to get up..."The Ultimate Prize...should remain a secret...also the fact of Kross' disposition."
"Kross' disposition?" Molly asked.."He's still alive..?"
"No...Canaletto took hold his last remaining strength...Canaletto is now a part of Kross' image."
"Whoa...hold the phone, your saying Canaletto's still alive...and in Kross' body?"
"More or less." Jordan choked out. "The image of himself is distorted..he's become...derranged...I can no longer send this temple flying for fear he'd escape once more."
"How...unpleasant." Aikka said from behind Molly. "However there is one thing I've got to ask...Toros and Rush are back...shouldn't they be aware of what your telling us?"
"No...they did not reach Oban, and are unaware of the situations which took place...go now...I must rest...the start of the match will begin shortly."
'Molly..' She heard Aikka's voice inside her head. 'After we are separated look for my arrow's bluish glow..'
"Gotcha." Molly said...they were consumed by a golden light which took them back to where they were before.
"Finally...wait, what are you doing?" Bei Berou asked as Aikka pulled out one of his arrows and chanted a small spell, sending it up into the air. "Calling our friends."
"Huh?" Arianna asked dumbfounded.
"You'll see." He said and watched as the arrow's glow grew brighter above them.
"You realize don't you, everyone will see this.." Rush gaped.
"They won't unless they look for it." Aikka commented. "Arianna I found Molly...she will be with us shortly."
"Why didn't she come back with you?"
"Because...the glowing orbs took us back to who we were with...and If Molly came back with me...there was no way we could find the others."
"Well, now that your back tell us what the little adventure was about."
"Not now." Molly shushed him with her voice..."C'mon...where are you?"
"Vere iz vhat?" Zophratiel asked. "Oar-" He stopped as Molly's gaze looked upward at the sound of a bell, all three of them saw the rather large glow from the Northern side.
"Lets go...hurry." Molly said to the other two...Ekerian knew what she meant and quickly ran after her, with little Zophratiel trying to keep up.. "vait, vait..eye ahm knot dat farst!"
"Here, climb on my shoulders...we haven't got time to lose." Ekerian slumped down to let him ride.
"Denk yiou." Zophratiel said greatfully eyeing how far away their human friend was at the time with some jealousy...'lung lekkers.' he thought to himself.
As Molly got closer and closer to the glow she started to yell his name, over and over again, listening..and finally he answered her back.
"Over here!" Aikka shouted, she saw his form and quickly ran over, placing her hands around his back, embracing Aikka in a hug. "I thought I'd never see you again." she said.
"But we haven't been separated for long."
"No..silly...I meant we haven't seen eachother in ten years...and you promised me I'd see your kindom!"
"Oh...well...we've had some major changes" He looked at her sadly. "I'm not the Prince anymore..."
"So I've heard." She said placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Aikka, if you must blame someone blame me. Its my fault your not a Prince."
He shook his head. "No don't blame yourself, this was not your doing. The Krogs were angry and upset that I had betrayed them in the race. I was the one who rebelled, I alone am to blame." He also put a hand on her shoulder when she gazed downward still not convinced. "I will never blame you, Molly."
"Prince..."She said without thinking. "Sorry, old habits." Which made Aikka laugh.
"If anyone can use my old title let it be you Molly. I can assure you I don't mind." They gazed at eachother with smiles on their faces greatful to be in eachother's company again.
"Uhh...hello...other people here!" Arianna chimed in...because it appeared that the two of them had forgotten about the others.
"Arianna...Rush!" She grabbed her cousin in a big hug meanwhile shaking Rush's hand, he knew better than to give Molly a squeeze.
"Oh Aikka...this is Zophratiel." Ekerian said after Aikka glared at the little alien still atop his shoulders.
"A pleasure." Aikka said bowing...and as we've already taken care of Rushs's part..this is Bei Berou, as you may have noticed he's Monutian...and this is Arianna...Molly's cousin."
Ekerian stopped and took in both their appearances, nodding to the Monutian who shared his glare, and bowing to Arianna who Molly as well as Aikka noted had a small blush on her face.
Molly and Aikka shared an interesting glance before their eyes wandered over the other two again...Arianna like Molly had fallen for a Nourasian...Now it was their turn to be uncomfortable.
"Pardon me..." Cyper announced from her position...making everyone gasp as they had not noticed she was standing there. "The test is about to begin."
"Test?" They all asked. "What kind of test?" Bei Berou asked Cyper.
"This part of the course will test your strength and speed.."
"Vel..eye'll luse dat une...four siur." Zophratiel said Aikka, Bei Berou, and Rush gazed at the little alien with raised eyebrows, they hadn't realized he had an accent...it was a bit hard to understand him until Ekerian chimed in. "Don't worry Zof, I can carry you so you won't have to try and struggle." which then produced a bit of snickering among them.
"You cannot help an opponent in this part of the competition..." Cyper said. her eyes darting from each person..."And as the Avatar said to the two of you" She pointed at Aikka and Molly. "You can't participate..enjoy the match."
"Wait...what will we be looking for?" Arianna asked.
"Golden rings which could be anywhere...the race starts as soon as you hear..ah there it is.." They all heard this bird calling...as though it was hurt by some kind of beast. "Go, it is time!"