~*~
Disclaimer, etc. in part one
~*~
Authors notes: Oh my gosh, guys... Your reviews are so sweet I think I'm gonna cry!
Audrey - Yes, you're special! And a BIG YES to motivating me! It's people like you that make me want to continue this story!
TLWROX - Of course a thank you for 'lil ole you'! You and everyone else are just the absolute best! Thank you AGAIN!
Jaclyn - Don't thank me for the story, because it wouldn't be in existence if it wasn't for you! YOU guys are the true heroes of this story!
veggie5 - I have to extend a special thank you to you also, because you've been following my story for a while. Yes, you really should be studying (as I should be doing my computer tech homework mwahaha), and I'm greatly honored that you're reading my work instead!
Mayhem Mountain (5/?)
by: Brandy Leigh
~*~
"Veronica!" Malone shouted as he darted out from his tent. Gun in tow, he started out after the sound of her scream without waiting for anyone to help him.
"Malone, wait!" Roxton shouted as he grabbed his rifle. "Damnit!" he cursed as he realized it was a feeble attempt.
Marguerite and Challenger were also grabbing their weapons, and each took off as fast as they could after Malone. No one even happened to notice that Julian, who was supposed to be on guard, had disappeared.
"Veronica!" Malone shouted again. "Where are you?! Veronica!"
"Ned!" she shouted back. "Help me!"
Needing no further encouragement, Malone picked up his speed. Stumbling over rocks and roots, scraping his arms and legs, he refused to stop for a second. Finally, after what seemed like an agonizing amount of time, he came across a scene that would forever haunt him in his nightmares.
Laid out before him was Veronica, bound to a stone slate. Slash marks cut deep on her arms and legs, across her stomach, and even a few had been carved upon her cheeks. Tears streamed down her face as she writhed in pain. Masked men stood around the slate, holding sacrificial knives that dripped with her blood.
"Oh, God..." he murmured. "What the hell have you done to her?! Let her go!" he screamed at the men.
"I'm afraid we can't do that," one man spoke.
"He's right, my son. She has been chosen," spoke another.
"Chosen for what, you sick son of a bitch?" Malone asked through clenched teeth.
"To die."
Thunder clapped to accent the man's words, two words that tore deep at Malone's heart. With a yell, he lunged forward, dropped his gun and took a wild swing at the man closest to him.
"Malone, no!" Roxton yelled to the younger man as he, Marguerite and Challenger came into the clearing.
As the explorers came closer, a bright white light flashed and nearly blinded them all. It slung the three of them back, slamming each of them into the ground several feet away. They stared up in disbelief as they realized that something was trying to keep them from getting to Malone and Veronica.
"It's like a forcefield," Challenger said in awe. "It's almost as if someone, or something, doesn't want us in there."
"Well we have to do something!" Marguerite exclaimed. "Malone's going to get himself killed!"
Just as she said this, one of the men picked Malone up with one hand, slamming him up against the stone slate that Veronica was laying on. The slate cracked with the force of Malone's body connecting with the stone.
"NED!" Veronica yelled with wide eyes.
Roxton winced, knowing full well that a blow like that had to hurt like absolute hell. He knew he had to do something to get through the blockade to help Malone, but he hadn't a clue how to go about breaking the barrier down. He looked over at Challenger frantically, hoping the older man would know what to do.
"Challenger, how do you suggest we break through this damn thing?" he asked.
"I wish I knew," Challenger replied.
"Well I wish I knew what the hell was going on!" Marguerite shouted.
"The answer is simple," came a voice from behind them. When the explorers turned, they came face to face with Julian.
"And what answer would that be?" Roxton asked.
"Ned Malone fears that a time will come when he cannot save Veronica. This is his greatest fear, and the time has come for him to face it," Julian replied.
"What are you talking about, we haven't even gotten to Maschou Monso yet!" Marguerite yelled.
"Oh, but we have. Look behind you."
The explorers looked, and indeed a large mountain loomed above them. None of them knew how they had mysteriously been transported to a mountain miles away from where they knew themselves to be, but it seemed that they had truly reached Maschou Monso.
"But how?" Challenger asked, dumbfounded.
"Do not question the unknown," Julian replied. "Do not try to understand what is beyond your comprehension."
Suddenly, realization hit Marguerite, and she looked up at Julian with eyes full of fear.
"Julian, you said Malone's greatest fear was that he couldn't save Veronica," she said.
"Yes, that is correct," Julian said with a nod.
"Then that means..." Marguerite trailed off, not wanting to continue.
"That Veronica will die," Julian finished for her.
"No, I refuse to accept that!" Roxton shouted.
"I'm sorry, but that is how it must be," Julian said as she pointed back to the scene before them. "Look."
As they looked, they saw Malone frantically trying to keep all three of the cloaked men at bay. It was impossible for him to beat all of them, and everyone knew it. The explorers looked on in horror as two of the men held Malone back, and the third slowly brought his knife up above Veronica.
"NO!" Malone screamed as the man quickly and viciously brought the knife down into Veronica's chest. His shout was echoed by all three of his comrades as Veronica cried out in pain.
"Ned, I... love..." Veronica's words were cut short as she drew her last and final breath.
"VERONICA!" Malone cried out as he dropped to his knees in the dirt, tears streaming down his face. It felt as if his heart was being torn from his chest. He had never felt any pain like this, not even in the war as he watched men die around him by the hundreds.
"Oh God!" cried Challenger.
"No..." moaned Marguerite. The woman who she had grown to love as a sister had just been slaughtered before her very eyes.
"I... I couldn't save her," Malone managed to say through his tears. "It's all my fault... she died because of me!"
As everyone sat in the rain that had now begun to fall, they felt the pain of Veronica's loss. It was as if something had been ripped from each of their souls. No one knew quite what to do, for no one had expected things to happen this way. Everyone just sat in solemn silence, tears and pain enveloping them.
As if to accent Veronica's death, a bright flash much as the one before tore through the clearing. Each person covered their faces to block out the light, fearing what it might bring. When the light faded, much to their surprise, a healthy and unharmed Veronica stood before them. The men and the stone slate were gone.
"Oh my God," Challenger managed to say. "It's Veronica!"
"What?" Marguerite asked. "It can't be!"
"It is!" Malone said as he dashed to her. He grabbed her in a fierce hug, and she hugged him back just as tight.
"What the hell just happened?" Veronica managed to ask, her voice quivering with fear.
"I don't know, but I thought I'd lost you," Malone said softly. "God Veronica, I was so scared."
Veronica just collapsed into Malone's arms, exhausted from her experience.
"Alright Miss Gatessi, or whoever you really are," Roxton said angrily as he stood up in front of her. "Just what the hell was that all about?"
"My dear Lord Roxton, haven't you figured it out by now? Malone passed his test. He faced his greatest fear," Julian replied.
"My greatest fear? What are you talking about?" Malone asked angrily.
"As I explained to your friends earlier, your greatest fear was not being able to save Veronica and having to watch her die. You have now faced that fear and are free to pass into the cave. I warn you though, all of you must face your fears before you may enter," Julian explained.
"That was your greatest fear?" Veronica asked, looking into Malone's eyes. "Losing me?"
Malone just nodded slowly, sheepishly. "Seems that way, doesn't it."
"Oh, Ned..." Veronica just grabbed him and pulled him closer. She glared up at Julian, angry for causing him such pain and anguish.
"Do not be angry at me," Julian pleaded. "I did not cause this to happen. You chose to come and face the Ultouma. The great Chucahna King has fed tonight, and he is pleased. Once all of you have passed his test, you will be allowed entrance to the cave to retrieve he Goblet of Courage."
Everyone just sighed, knowing full well that they had no way to turn back now. Their only choice was to continue on and finish what they had started.
"So whatever happens when we face our greatest fears will be reversed once we have completed the test?" Marguerite asked.
"That all depends," Julian replied.
"On?"
"Weather or not you pass."
Eventually everyone made their way back to camp, but whatever chance they had of sleeping earlier had now been crushed to pieces. The explorers now knew there was a chance that each of them could die if they happened to fail their test.
Back at the campsite, Veronica lay comfortable in Malone's arms. She was still shaking with fear and the memory of the pain she felt when she was killed. It was a feeling that would be deep within her forever.
"Are you alright?" Malone asked softly.
"I am now," she managed to say. "Ned, about what I said earlier, before I... died."
"Don't worry about it, Veronica. I know you were just scared and hurting and-"
"I meant it, Ned," she said, cutting him off.
"You did?" Malone asked shyly.
"Yes, I did."
Malone just broke into a big grin, then slowly leaned down and captured Veronica's lips with his own. For once, Veronica didn't pull away or make up an excuse to leave. She just stayed safe in Malone's arms and enjoyed the feel of kissing him.
~*~
End part 5
~*~
Authors notes: Wow, wow, and more wow. I can't believe it! Two updates in two days... that's unbelievable for me! All I can say is that you guys really and truly made it possible for me to write this. I love you all, and I hope you are enjoying this just as much as I am by writing it! *Jumps up and down excitedly* LOVE YA LOVE YA LOVE YA!
~*~
Possible questions answered in part 6:
Who will be the next to face their greatest fear?
Will Challenger ever stop denying the mysteries of the plateau?
Wow, someone finally said they loved someone... I'm just in shock here, people...
You'll have to... yeah, you know the drill.
Disclaimer, etc. in part one
~*~
Authors notes: Oh my gosh, guys... Your reviews are so sweet I think I'm gonna cry!
Audrey - Yes, you're special! And a BIG YES to motivating me! It's people like you that make me want to continue this story!
TLWROX - Of course a thank you for 'lil ole you'! You and everyone else are just the absolute best! Thank you AGAIN!
Jaclyn - Don't thank me for the story, because it wouldn't be in existence if it wasn't for you! YOU guys are the true heroes of this story!
veggie5 - I have to extend a special thank you to you also, because you've been following my story for a while. Yes, you really should be studying (as I should be doing my computer tech homework mwahaha), and I'm greatly honored that you're reading my work instead!
Mayhem Mountain (5/?)
by: Brandy Leigh
~*~
"Veronica!" Malone shouted as he darted out from his tent. Gun in tow, he started out after the sound of her scream without waiting for anyone to help him.
"Malone, wait!" Roxton shouted as he grabbed his rifle. "Damnit!" he cursed as he realized it was a feeble attempt.
Marguerite and Challenger were also grabbing their weapons, and each took off as fast as they could after Malone. No one even happened to notice that Julian, who was supposed to be on guard, had disappeared.
"Veronica!" Malone shouted again. "Where are you?! Veronica!"
"Ned!" she shouted back. "Help me!"
Needing no further encouragement, Malone picked up his speed. Stumbling over rocks and roots, scraping his arms and legs, he refused to stop for a second. Finally, after what seemed like an agonizing amount of time, he came across a scene that would forever haunt him in his nightmares.
Laid out before him was Veronica, bound to a stone slate. Slash marks cut deep on her arms and legs, across her stomach, and even a few had been carved upon her cheeks. Tears streamed down her face as she writhed in pain. Masked men stood around the slate, holding sacrificial knives that dripped with her blood.
"Oh, God..." he murmured. "What the hell have you done to her?! Let her go!" he screamed at the men.
"I'm afraid we can't do that," one man spoke.
"He's right, my son. She has been chosen," spoke another.
"Chosen for what, you sick son of a bitch?" Malone asked through clenched teeth.
"To die."
Thunder clapped to accent the man's words, two words that tore deep at Malone's heart. With a yell, he lunged forward, dropped his gun and took a wild swing at the man closest to him.
"Malone, no!" Roxton yelled to the younger man as he, Marguerite and Challenger came into the clearing.
As the explorers came closer, a bright white light flashed and nearly blinded them all. It slung the three of them back, slamming each of them into the ground several feet away. They stared up in disbelief as they realized that something was trying to keep them from getting to Malone and Veronica.
"It's like a forcefield," Challenger said in awe. "It's almost as if someone, or something, doesn't want us in there."
"Well we have to do something!" Marguerite exclaimed. "Malone's going to get himself killed!"
Just as she said this, one of the men picked Malone up with one hand, slamming him up against the stone slate that Veronica was laying on. The slate cracked with the force of Malone's body connecting with the stone.
"NED!" Veronica yelled with wide eyes.
Roxton winced, knowing full well that a blow like that had to hurt like absolute hell. He knew he had to do something to get through the blockade to help Malone, but he hadn't a clue how to go about breaking the barrier down. He looked over at Challenger frantically, hoping the older man would know what to do.
"Challenger, how do you suggest we break through this damn thing?" he asked.
"I wish I knew," Challenger replied.
"Well I wish I knew what the hell was going on!" Marguerite shouted.
"The answer is simple," came a voice from behind them. When the explorers turned, they came face to face with Julian.
"And what answer would that be?" Roxton asked.
"Ned Malone fears that a time will come when he cannot save Veronica. This is his greatest fear, and the time has come for him to face it," Julian replied.
"What are you talking about, we haven't even gotten to Maschou Monso yet!" Marguerite yelled.
"Oh, but we have. Look behind you."
The explorers looked, and indeed a large mountain loomed above them. None of them knew how they had mysteriously been transported to a mountain miles away from where they knew themselves to be, but it seemed that they had truly reached Maschou Monso.
"But how?" Challenger asked, dumbfounded.
"Do not question the unknown," Julian replied. "Do not try to understand what is beyond your comprehension."
Suddenly, realization hit Marguerite, and she looked up at Julian with eyes full of fear.
"Julian, you said Malone's greatest fear was that he couldn't save Veronica," she said.
"Yes, that is correct," Julian said with a nod.
"Then that means..." Marguerite trailed off, not wanting to continue.
"That Veronica will die," Julian finished for her.
"No, I refuse to accept that!" Roxton shouted.
"I'm sorry, but that is how it must be," Julian said as she pointed back to the scene before them. "Look."
As they looked, they saw Malone frantically trying to keep all three of the cloaked men at bay. It was impossible for him to beat all of them, and everyone knew it. The explorers looked on in horror as two of the men held Malone back, and the third slowly brought his knife up above Veronica.
"NO!" Malone screamed as the man quickly and viciously brought the knife down into Veronica's chest. His shout was echoed by all three of his comrades as Veronica cried out in pain.
"Ned, I... love..." Veronica's words were cut short as she drew her last and final breath.
"VERONICA!" Malone cried out as he dropped to his knees in the dirt, tears streaming down his face. It felt as if his heart was being torn from his chest. He had never felt any pain like this, not even in the war as he watched men die around him by the hundreds.
"Oh God!" cried Challenger.
"No..." moaned Marguerite. The woman who she had grown to love as a sister had just been slaughtered before her very eyes.
"I... I couldn't save her," Malone managed to say through his tears. "It's all my fault... she died because of me!"
As everyone sat in the rain that had now begun to fall, they felt the pain of Veronica's loss. It was as if something had been ripped from each of their souls. No one knew quite what to do, for no one had expected things to happen this way. Everyone just sat in solemn silence, tears and pain enveloping them.
As if to accent Veronica's death, a bright flash much as the one before tore through the clearing. Each person covered their faces to block out the light, fearing what it might bring. When the light faded, much to their surprise, a healthy and unharmed Veronica stood before them. The men and the stone slate were gone.
"Oh my God," Challenger managed to say. "It's Veronica!"
"What?" Marguerite asked. "It can't be!"
"It is!" Malone said as he dashed to her. He grabbed her in a fierce hug, and she hugged him back just as tight.
"What the hell just happened?" Veronica managed to ask, her voice quivering with fear.
"I don't know, but I thought I'd lost you," Malone said softly. "God Veronica, I was so scared."
Veronica just collapsed into Malone's arms, exhausted from her experience.
"Alright Miss Gatessi, or whoever you really are," Roxton said angrily as he stood up in front of her. "Just what the hell was that all about?"
"My dear Lord Roxton, haven't you figured it out by now? Malone passed his test. He faced his greatest fear," Julian replied.
"My greatest fear? What are you talking about?" Malone asked angrily.
"As I explained to your friends earlier, your greatest fear was not being able to save Veronica and having to watch her die. You have now faced that fear and are free to pass into the cave. I warn you though, all of you must face your fears before you may enter," Julian explained.
"That was your greatest fear?" Veronica asked, looking into Malone's eyes. "Losing me?"
Malone just nodded slowly, sheepishly. "Seems that way, doesn't it."
"Oh, Ned..." Veronica just grabbed him and pulled him closer. She glared up at Julian, angry for causing him such pain and anguish.
"Do not be angry at me," Julian pleaded. "I did not cause this to happen. You chose to come and face the Ultouma. The great Chucahna King has fed tonight, and he is pleased. Once all of you have passed his test, you will be allowed entrance to the cave to retrieve he Goblet of Courage."
Everyone just sighed, knowing full well that they had no way to turn back now. Their only choice was to continue on and finish what they had started.
"So whatever happens when we face our greatest fears will be reversed once we have completed the test?" Marguerite asked.
"That all depends," Julian replied.
"On?"
"Weather or not you pass."
Eventually everyone made their way back to camp, but whatever chance they had of sleeping earlier had now been crushed to pieces. The explorers now knew there was a chance that each of them could die if they happened to fail their test.
Back at the campsite, Veronica lay comfortable in Malone's arms. She was still shaking with fear and the memory of the pain she felt when she was killed. It was a feeling that would be deep within her forever.
"Are you alright?" Malone asked softly.
"I am now," she managed to say. "Ned, about what I said earlier, before I... died."
"Don't worry about it, Veronica. I know you were just scared and hurting and-"
"I meant it, Ned," she said, cutting him off.
"You did?" Malone asked shyly.
"Yes, I did."
Malone just broke into a big grin, then slowly leaned down and captured Veronica's lips with his own. For once, Veronica didn't pull away or make up an excuse to leave. She just stayed safe in Malone's arms and enjoyed the feel of kissing him.
~*~
End part 5
~*~
Authors notes: Wow, wow, and more wow. I can't believe it! Two updates in two days... that's unbelievable for me! All I can say is that you guys really and truly made it possible for me to write this. I love you all, and I hope you are enjoying this just as much as I am by writing it! *Jumps up and down excitedly* LOVE YA LOVE YA LOVE YA!
~*~
Possible questions answered in part 6:
Who will be the next to face their greatest fear?
Will Challenger ever stop denying the mysteries of the plateau?
Wow, someone finally said they loved someone... I'm just in shock here, people...
You'll have to... yeah, you know the drill.
