Chapter Nine: Crazy Fancy Visit
Sitting on the stilted floor, Elena stared at the ceiling. The day had been dreary, nothing to do but watch her parents work tirelessly. The footsteps treading over the creaking staircase captured her away from her dull scene. The four warriors approached, followed by the two creatures. She quickly got up, a smile widened across her face.
"Hi!" she greeted and noticed the demi-human. "Who's your new friend?"
"Fiona. I'm guessing you guys know each other well?" Fiona asked.
"Fiona, this is Elena," Aurora introduced for Elena.
"Nice to meet you." Elena bowed politely.
"Same goes for ya," Fiona replied back.
"So where are you off to now?" Elena asked to the whole gang.
"We're going to Fancy Mel's atelier," Rue answered. "Have you been there?"
"Fancy Mel...?" Elena echoed. "OH! That crazy witch, right? I know her place."
"Crazy...?" Fiona uttered with a raised eyebrow.
"Witch...?" Mint finished with an eyebrow lifted.
"It's a very fun place. I'm sure you'll like it," Elena told them.
"Eh, what do you mean by 'fun'?" Rue asked.
"Ohh, you'll find out," Elena sang.
Fiona's cat ears perked down as mistrust twisted her sense of easiness. "...Why do I have the funny feeling that I won't?"
The door of Klaus' house slammed close. Mint joined the others where Fiona was stretching her aching back, due to the encounter through the underground ruins.
"So we have to go see this Mel, right?" Mint announced, catching everyone's attention.
"Yeah," Rue replied. "Hopefully, she'll have some answers for us."
A watchful glare to the inn was noticed by Aurora. "What's wrong, Fiona?"
"I don't like this..." Was the reply she received.
KABAAM!
A loud explosion uttered into the atmosphere, nearly shaking the ground. The rumble forced Mint to fall on her rear and the others on their knees. Green jumped with fright and Cosmomi fell from his perch and his head beat to the ground. Once the mini earthquake settled, the three stood up in sheer curiosity while Mint rubbed the sore on her rear. Cosmomi moaned in pain and tried to ease the agony that was stinging his nose. Green growled crossly.
"Ouch!" Mint groaned.
"What was that!?" Rue yelled.
"Sounded like..." Aurora began and turned to the inn, where Green was growling at. Rising from what appeared to be a broken window, smoke clouded heavily and into the clean air.
"Oh my gosh," Mint cried.
"Rachael! Coco and Cairo!" Aurora shouted, realizing that her little sister and her apprentices were still inside. Without wasting time, the gang dashed to the inn.
"Rachael! Coco! Cairo!" Aurora called as the smoke poured into the first floor. To her relief, she caught sight of Rachael and Coco. Flare coughed loudly in the midst of the black smoke. Black's coughs echoed nearby. The little girl rushed to her older sister.
"Aurora!" she cried.
"Are you two alright?" Aurora questioned.
"Cough... Yeah," Coco heaved.
"What happened?" Rue asked as he rushed in, an arm shielding him from the thick smog.
Ms. Cartha emerged from the black fog towards them, her apron over her mouth. "All of a sudden, we heard a loud explosion upstairs."
"And it smells like it too," Mint muttered, blowing the air away from her face.
A sudden thought occurred to Aurora. "Cairo! Where's Cairo!?"
"He's still upstairs," Coco told them, anxiety washed over her face.
"Dammit!" Aurora cursed and darted up the stairs, caring less of the smoke.
"Wait!" Rue shouted and the silver-haired boy went after her.
"Oh, great! Now I'm gonna get my hair messed up," Mint mumbled but followed after them.
"You stay here with the kids until it's safe," Fiona told to the innkeeper before running after them.
Aurora turned around a corner, pushing away the clouds of smoke. Cosmomi lay low and darting across the floor, as the smoke was too thick to fly through. They closed near the door where the elves were to sleep in. Drifting pillars of smoke seeped under the door. Aurora burst the door opened and peered inside.
"Cairo! Are you al-!?" A sight stopped her. Pure disbelief was imprinted over her face. The others joined in at the bewildered sight. Books had fallen from their places and the bed sheets were darkened with soot. Beside the broken window was a small cauldron. Smoke arose from it as marks from an explosion engraved on its metal surface. Nearby was Cairo holding two broken test tubes and an opened but nearly destroyed book sat on a stand next to him. His hair was matted with soot and dust. His clothes were nearly torn and burnt. His face was impaled with shock.
"Cough," he choked, letting out a breath of smoke. "I think...I used too much Mandola Nectar..."
With that, he fainted.
Due to Cairo's little potion experiment of making Essence of Fire, the room was in a complete mess. As the smoke settled, there was some cleaning up to do. Feeling absolutely guilty about the accident, Aurora suggested that they should clean up.
"I'm really sorry about this, Ms. Cartha," Aurora apologized for the fifth time as she pushed a book into its place on the shelf. Rachael began picking up the broken pieces of glass carefully. The flying cats began sweeping away the dust with their wings.
"It's alright," the innkeeper reassured her, feeling a little guilty herself for not helping the gang clean up the room. "We never had explosions in Carona before. A little blast isn't all too bad."
"Speak for yourself," Mint mumbled as she picked up the books lying on the floor.
"Cairo, I thought I told you no more potions," Aurora scolded. "You already nearly destroyed our house six times and now here!?"
"I'm sorry," Cairo whimpered. "It's just the books we found from the atelier had a lot of potions and I really wanted to try them out. Guess I blew up this one up."
"As always, you end up as a failure," Coco scorned with a grin. Cairo glared at his annoying sister. Aurora sighed, taking it that the elves would forever quarrel.
"Don't feel bad about this, Cairo," The elves looked puzzled at Rue, who was helping Aurora out with the books. "It's not often anyone can be successful in just one day. I'm sure you'll get this right if you don't give up."
"Yeah!" Cairo shouted, snapping away from his doubt. "I'll try it again. Thanks, Rue."
"First of all, Cairo," Mint declared, stopping him from reaching the book. "Do it outside! I have had enough explosions for a day!" Her threatening groan sent shivers down Cairo's spine as her encounter against the fire-breathing skull beasts haunted her mind.
"Hey, let's check the lake ruins."
Rue stopped his pace and looked back at the demi-human. The gang, along with Black, had left the inn after finishing cleaning up the ruined room (which Aurora insisted on paying for the damage but Ms. Cartha refused since it wasn't a complete disaster) and was about to go to Mel's Atelier when Fiona declared loudly to the gang.
"Are you sure?" Rue asked.
"It wouldn't hurt just to see what they're like. And we do need a break now and then. Right?" Fiona asked.
"I think that's a good idea," Aurora agreed. "We can always visit Fancy Mel any time. We're in no need of a hurry."
"I agree with ya. My bones have been aching since our last trip," Mint complained.
"Rue, what do you think?" Fiona questioned. All looked forward to his answer.
"...I guess it's okay," Rue replied.
"Then Lake Ruins it is!" Mint shouted. "I wonder what they look like."
"It's better to find out than to wonder," Fiona told her and the demi-human and the princess walked off to the gates.
"Rue, are you alright?" Rue snapped away from his train of thought and faced the cerulean-haired girl.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"..." Aurora said nothing, seeing words may not help. Then Rue noticed a smile. "Cheer up. There's nothing to be gloomy about, Rue."
Rue looked seemingly surprised at her, a resemblance of someone's kindness.
"Hey." A call escaped from the flying cat's mouth that happened to be sitting on Aurora's shoulder. "You both know two people are likely to explode with anger if we're not moving our feet."
Aurora nodded, looking at Fiona and Mint waiting for them by the gates. "Come on, Rue."
Giving a nod of his head, the Dragon Guardian and the silver-haired boy ran after the demi-human and the princess as the huge gates opened.
The calm air greeted the gang as they closed near to the Lake Ruins. The lake was vast and stretched far. Lush encircled the lake while the trees stood afar from the shallow waters. Ripples streamed across the water surface. In the centre of the lake was a circular flat stadium, which was no smaller than a ship.
"There it is," Rue exclaimed. "I wonder if the relic is really there."
"I hope so," Aurora prayed.
"So this is the lake ruins, huh? Looks nice for a scenery," Fiona uttered.
The four travelers stared watchfully at the ruins. Mint's smile lengthened wide.
"...My relic must be in there somewhere. Two years," she groaned. "Two grueling years of utter hell all because of Maya! And FINALLY, I'm here!!! Hee-Hee-Heee. It won't be long before I get the relic and conquer the world! Maya, you're sooo dead! I'm gonna condemn you to a lifetime of toilet cleaning!
With a fit of anger, Mint stomped her feet. "Maya, you snake!!! Dirty! Lousy! Stinky! Stupid!"
She went on cursing to the sky. Aurora, Fiona and the creatures looked at the princess with puzzlement.
"What's her problem?" Aurora demanded.
"Probably just babbling," Fiona told her.
Only Rue wasn't paying attention to Mint's loud dialogue of complete rage. His only attention was the ruins. Pleading to get the relic now, he calmed himself down, knowing he would soon get it. "...Claire...I'm gonna get you back soon. I promise. Please wait a little longer." No one heard his whisper as the wind blew it away.
The usual carefree smile on Aurora's face had drifted away as a haunting memory repeated again in her mind. "So...that's where the relic is... Five years... Angela, it won't be long till you're back. And you can see the people I've met..."
Tears were beginning to fall when she felt the warm touch of the wind blowing across her cheek. Tightening her grip, he shook her head, shuddering the feeling and looked hardly at the ruins. She knew she was going to get it. She knew.
Cosmomi noticed the look he had seen for many years. "Hey, Aurora, are you ok?"
She shook the feeling that was creeping over her and gave a smile to Cosmomi to ensure him nothing was wrong. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Cosmomi looked doubtfully at her before shrugging his shoulders and turning to the ruins.
Silence was unheard in the lake. The ripples chanted their rhythms like the pleasurable songs of the water spirits, Nymphs. Tossing her spear over her shoulder, Fiona observed the flat stadium. At last, the silence spell was broken.
"It won't be long until we get the relic," Fiona exclaimed. "Hopefully, without any trouble along the way."
"Yeah," Aurora agreed.
The burning annoyance cooled down as Mint had tired herself out of her continuous stomps. Regaining her stamina, she uttered, "Let's get going and see this Fancy Mel already."
The gang of four determined fighters took one last look at where the relic was sealed before turning away and walking down the sloping path, towards the break of the small encircling forest.
It was not long before they reached the crossway the spilt into several roads: one leading to the forest and Carona, another leading to the Underground Ruins, a third leading off to more paths, and the last leading to the forest where Mel's atelier was said to be. The demi-human halted and turned to look at the road that led to the forest. Hearing the footsteps decreasing behind, Aurora looked back with wonder.
"What's wrong?" Everyone turned back, first wondering why Aurora had asked, then saw Fiona had stopped.
At last, Fiona turned back to her comrades. "I'm thinking...about heading back to Carona." In the midst of her reply, the truth seemed to hide in her throat but carefully she threw out a lie.
"Why?" Rue asked.
"Maybe I can find out about the whereabouts of Hawkeye and David. Who knows? They're bound to arrive in Carona anytime sooner."
"Hey, didn't you gather all the info you needed when you were in Carona?" Mint wondered.
"There's still plenty of sources to cover up," Fiona uttered.
"And how are you gonna do that?" Cosmomi asked as he rested on Aurora's shoulder.
"By listening to the spirits," the demi-human declared. "What else?" All looked dumbfounded at her with sweatdrops hanging over their heads. "Geez! No one can take a joke from a demi-human."
Aurora only threw a smile and a sigh. "Well, good luck then. We'll meet ya back to Carona later."
"Ciao!" Fiona shouted and watched the trio take their course to the forest where Mel's atelier lay ahead. With a grin, she exhausted her breath and turned to the road to Carona Forest. "Time to meet this Guardian."
"Aurora, remember you said 'What's so bad about this Mel?'?" Cosmomi reminded her. "I think you underestimated her."
Before the trio was the break of the calm, sane forest, greeted by a carpet of pink grass. The path widened across this unknown part of the forest, baring a pink tone on what should have been earth tone. In place of trees were giant stars. Planted into the ground were swirling shapes and mushrooms in large sizes were commonly everywhere. Jaws fell opened at the bizarre sight before their very eyes.
"Holy cow!" Mint cried. "Talk about bad taste."
"What is this place...?" Rue wondered, dazzling his gaze everywhere. "The doctor was right. This is really strange."
"This is way too weird," Aurora exclaimed. Then she realized quickly something was missing. She looked around swiftly. "Hey, where's Cosmomi? Black?" Laughter captured their attention to a large mushroom. The two flying cats were happily jumping up and down on the soft dome of the mushroom. Like a trampoline, Cosmomi and Black enjoyed the fun of bouncing into the air.
"This is fun!" Cosmomi declared.
"Yeah!" Black agreed. But soon, their fun would be stopped.
"Hey, we aren't here for fun," Aurora uttered, raising an eyebrow. "We have to look for Mel."
A couple of moans lifted in the air. "Ohh, do we have to?" Black whined.
"We can have fun later. Right now, we have some business to attend to."
A few more grumbles, and off the flying cats went. The princess approached the large mushroom, seeing its height was up to her waist. She touched the dome of its cushion-likeness.
"You know something?" she cried.
"What?" Rue questioned.
"I could use this as a cushion for my seat," Mint droned, throwing a smile. Soon, Rue and Aurora face-faulted, their feet cringing at different angles. Once they have regained their composure and got onto their feet, the trio was on their way to find the atelier. Soon, the path came to a dead end. Lying ahead in the plains of cherry pink grass was a large platform in the form of a star. Gravity was unknown to it because it was hovering a few inches from the ground.
"So, where's Mel's atelier?" Mint questioned slightly rudely.
"Cosmomi, Black, do you sense anything?" Aurora asked, knowing of their abilities to sense magic.
Cosmomi got right on it before Black could trace the trail of magic. "That platform got pretty strong magic. It might lead to Mel's atelier."
Black crossed his arms and mumbled harshly, wishing he wasn't slow. Seeing his jealously, Aurora picked the black flying cat up. "Better luck next time, Black."
"How do you know?" Rue asked the platinum flying cat.
"Black and I are capable to sense strong magic, depending on the Class of a sorcerer," Cosmomi replied.
"So that means you sense my highly powerful magic, hmm?" Mint inquired with a grin, recognizing that among all in the group, she was the only one who knew magic.
Cosmomi heaved a laugh. "I only sense First-Class Magic, not Second-Class."
Erupting the princess's temper, hands reached out to torment the flying cat. "You (expletive)! I'll beat you to a bloody pulp!"
"Try and catch me!"
"Anyway," Rue sighed nervously as he walked towards the platform. "Let's go see Mel."
"Yeah, before there are any mishaps," Aurora agreed.
The elevator-like platform lifted the trio and the creatures up to an island resembling the atelier in Carona Forest. However, it took a shape of a three-dimensional pink oval. As they jumped off the platform, what they saw before them took their breath away.
"What the heck...? Is this Fancy Mel's atelier?" Rue finally choked it out.
In the centre was a small house. But not any original house. Its walls were violet and the porch was like the pillars of Roman buildings. Its door was green as the forest with an odd doorknob. There were three windows, all crooked and twisted. Lastly, on its pink dome-shaped roof stood two large mushrooms taking the forms of chimneys.
"I guess it's her way of...decorating her atelier," Aurora exclaimed.
"All this is giving me a headache," Mint cried. "No wonder Klaus didn't wanna come here."
"So..." Cosmomi hummed. "Anyone gonna knock the door?"
Approaching the door, Rue took a step forward before the girls and knocked.
Ding! Ding!
At the same time he knocked, the sound of a bell took the position of the knocking sound. Rue jumped, surprised. The girls did the same as well while Cosmomi flew from his perch in shock. Green's watery form bounced. Black slightly stood his ground.
"What the-" Rue shouted.
Followed by Mint's shout. "The heck!?"
And lastly, Aurora's yell. "Heck is that!?"
Again, with sheer caution, Rue knocked the door and again the sound tinkled in the atmosphere. "What a strange sound."
"Tell me about it," Aurora uttered.
"Well, Mel sure got some taste," Mint intoned and took her ring in hand. With quick wits, she incessantly knocked the door with the halo of her golden ring, surprising Aurora, Rue and the flying cats. Of course, Green looked dumbly at her.
"Mint, I think that's enough," Rue told her.
"If you keep going on like this, Mel's gonna be the one with a headache!" Aurora shouted.
Mint took a halt and absolutely shouted her voice out loud that the birds in the sky could hear. "Mel!? Are you in there!?"
The answer was only the silence.
"Looks like nobody's home," Rue suggested.
"So, what should we do now?" Aurora asked.
"Mel not home. You must wait. You can play while you wait."
They turned to the squeaky childish voice that spoke behind their back. Like a child who has been a little naughty lately, a little miniature child stood there, wearing clothes of a bizarre pattern. Its hair was a deeper tone of orange. In its little hand was a thin stick with a shrunken skull struck to the top, acting like a wand. It looked smaller than a dwarf so the trio knew it couldn't be one.
"Okay, who are you and what do you mean by 'play'?" Aurora questioned.
But the little child didn't reply to her inquiry. "Play with us while you wait."
"Who's 'us'?" Mint asked, feeling uncertain.
"I think he means his friends," Rue announced, bringing the girls to see two more miniature children approaching them from behind the house.
"Play with us," the second child pleaded.
"And Mel will come," the third child told them.
"Uhm, I don't think this is a good time to play," Rue protested.
However, the little children didn't listen and immediately waving their wands. Instantly, as if magically, three star-shaped platforms, common to the elevator, appeared after them.
"Look! We don't want to play, ok?" Mint spat.
"Wait a minute," Cosmomi objected and fluttered over, landing beside the star-platforms. "Who knows? It could be fun."
"Cosmomi, we don't have time for games," Aurora told the flying cat.
"Wait. I think Cosmomi got something there," Black joined in, flying beside his older brother. "Ever heard the phrase: 'Time flies when you're having fun'?" "Now where have I heard that one before?" Mint questioned herself.
"By the time we finish, Mel might be here," Cosmomi responded.
"...He does have a point," Rue agreed.
"Come on. Can't we have a little fun?" Cosmomi pleaded.
"Please?" Black begged.
"You two are acting like spoiled kittens," Aurora declared, her hands on her hips. She soon gave in with a thought. "Well... I guess we can while we're waiting."
"What about you, Mint?" Cosmomi asked.
"...Oh! Alright..." Mint agreed, seeing her odds against it were minimal. "It's better to do something than to wait here. So what do we have to do?"
"Jump on star," the child said.
"I guess he means to jump on those things," Rue modified.
"Well, DUH!" the princess snapped and without protesting hesitation, she jumped onto one of the star-platform. As she waited for the platform to do something, the platform remained still.
"Okay! What's this? A joke? Cause nothing's-" A shake startled her. The star-platform started to levitate higher and before anyone could help Mint, the star-platform whizzed off far from the atelier in the speed of a phoenix. "-HAPPENINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!"
Soon she was gone over the pink horizon.
"Mint!" Rue and Aurora shouted in unison.
"Golly. Where do you think she's headed?" Black asked, seeing Cosmomi's jaw open widely.
"To really fun place," the third child yelled.
"We gotta go after her," Aurora suggested quickly.
"Right," the silver-haired boy consented and jumped onto a star-platform.
As it started to levitate, Aurora hopped onto the last star-platform, the blob and the two flying cats streaking after her. The star-platforms floated on the trail of Mint's star-platform in quick velocity. It would have not been long till they reach Mint's destination until the platforms started to veer course, giving them a shocking surprise. Rue's ride was going left while Aurora's traveling platform was going right.
"Wait!" Aurora screamed. "Wrong-" The star-platform swiftly zoomed away, bringing Aurora and her creature friends down on their knees. "WAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!"
"Aurora!" Rue shouted but fell onto the hard platform as a sudden shake trembled. Griping on the edge with one hand and his other holding on his hat, Rue held on for dear life. The star-platform weaved like a wild animal. Thankfully, it slowed steadily and docked over an oval-shaped island that seemed checkered with pink squares.
Quickly after he regained his composure, he jumped off just as the star vanished away. He stilled his panicking heart that galloped unsteadily from his roller coaster ride and examined around.
There was no Mint, no Aurora, no Cosmomi or Black or Green. No one. Except a child who just popped out of nowhere.
Rue's eyes widened when he quickly realized this child was one of the miniature children at Mel's atelier. What was more, the dwarf-like child just popped out of nowhere.
"Hi!" the child chattered.
"Uh, hi," Rue greeted. "Do you know where am I and where I can find Aurora and Mint?"
The child ignored him. "The game is 'Fungie Bash'. Hit as many Fungies before time runs out. Bwye-Bwye."
With that, the child walked to the edge of the island and jumped off, making Rue's heart jump. Rue hurried to the edge but by that time, the child was gone below the clouds.
Pop!
Rue looked over his shoulder. On the ground was a small green dome planted. Cautiously, he reached for his Arc Edge and shuffled forward to the wriggling dome. Ready and prepared, Rue took one more step and held high his weapon.
POP!
A small monster popped out of the ground. It looked like a child, but smaller than the children back at Mel's atelier. The green dome was actually its hat, making it look like a mushroom. It began to dance happily, feeling the sun's rays streaming down on its lime skin. Rue lowered his weapon, dumfounded to see only a Fungie. He heaved a sigh.
'Guess I should get this over and find Aurora and Mint...' he thought.
Harmless as a baby, the Fungie skipped around playfully. Carefully, Rue stabbed the little mushroom lightly with the tip of his blade. The Fungie curled up inside its hat, jumping away and crawled out in sudden surprise.
Expecting it to run away, the Fungie instead started to cry. It screamed intensely and answering its cry was an army of Fungies. Hundreds of them. All staring at the weeping Fungie. Their stares turned to Rue, their eyes glazing with burning resentment.
"Oh uh..." Rue gulped softly as he slowly backed away from the army of angry Fungies.
"...Ugh. I feel sick."
Mint gradually looked down at where her star-platform had docked. The island was smaller than the pervious island and was checkered with yellow squares. Before she could examine further, the star disappeared below her feet, giving her an unpredicted fall. Her face smashed on the ground while her body stood high, her arms and legs cringing at twisted angles.
"Ouch...!" she groaned.
She got up on her knees when her aches subsided. She then noticed a large hole seemingly dug in the middle of the island and centered it was a large trumpet-like tube that was a few inches taller than her. Dancing around the tube in the hole were two unusual creatures.
Imps. Also known as Rascals of Magic. They stood on their hind legs and each waved a wand in their short hand. Their skin was plum-violet. They jumped and danced around in the hole, caring less of the outside world.
"Okkk..." Mint whined puzzled but calmly. "WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO HERE!?"
"Hi." Mint turned sharply as the second child appeared behind her.
"OK, YOU!" Mint shouted. "How do I get out of here!?"
The child simply ignored him. "This game is 'Bouncing Ball'. Collect as many colored balls until time is up. Don't collect black balls."
"Why!?" Mint demanded.
"Because they hit you very badly. That's all. Bwye-Bwye." The child turned tail and leapt off the island before Mint could stop it.
She arched her back forward, clenching her fists of anger. "Grrrrr! That annoying brat! Great! Now I'm struck here..." Seeing no other options, she eyed the trumpet-tube. "Guess I'll get this game started. Ok, you imps. Start."
The imps looked at Mint for a few silent minutes and turned back to their dancing. Temper began surging, as Mint had never been ignored by a bunch of monsters.
"START!!! DAMMIT!!" Mint screamed, giving the island a stomp. The island quivered, frightening the Imps. Not wishing to feel the shockwave again, the monsters quickly turned the trumpet-tube on but pushing a gear-like lever that was fixed in the hole. The trumpet-tube started to huff steam and multi-colored balls shot into the sky and fell like raindrops.
Mint grabbed the first ball that was tinted with redness in one hand and a bright yellow ball in another. Wasting no time, she captured the raining balls. Some escaped from her clench while some had fallen off the island and into the clouds below. Due to their small size, she held a bundle in her arms and had more space before time would run out.
She grinned, seeing it was such an easy game. "This isn't as bad as I thought it would."
As soon as she said those words, something hit her on her hair ornament, causing her to lap forward and dropping all the balls she caught.
"OWW!" She held her head but turned back to her collection of balls that were scattered everywhere.
"Oh no!" She rushed to seize the balls but in vain but they all fell off the island, disappearing into the fluffy clouds. With rage, she turned back to see who was her attacker. "Hey! What's the big-!"
She stopped as a small object the rolled on the floor caught her eyes. It was round and shaped similar to the balls but was shaded with black. Mint watched it as it rolled towards the edge of the island. In its way was her hand. As it rolled on, it suddenly rolled over her hand, giving her a squeezing pain. She yelped, backing her hand away and watched the deadly ball fall over the edge.
"Don't collect black balls. They hit you very badly."
Her mouth twitched once recalling the child's warning. 'Don't tell me that those black balls are...'
Hearing the sound of balls bouncing, she slowly looked back uneasily. The imps had stopped the trumpet-tube and were loading black balls to the mixture of multicolored balls. They jumped back to their positions in the hole and ran up the machine in full speed.
Mint skidded onto her feet, black balls chasing after her. She ran for cover but there was no shelter or protection.
"OUCH! EEK! OWW! OUCH! THAT'S NOT FAIR!!!" Mint screamed in agony.
Another island far off, the star-platform landed safely, letting its passengers jump off. Aurora fell to her knees, holding down her dizziness. On such a ride, she has never experienced that except riding a wild Dalphin before.
Cosmomi and Black tried to steady themselves but their wings would get tangled with another and they would fall wobbly and shaky with fear.
All were both frightful and relieved but among them, only Green remained calm and alive. He squealed inquiringly to see his comrades and Aurora looking giddy and hopped around playfully.
"Phew! That ride made me dizzy," Aurora moaned.
"For the first time, I know what airsick means," Black whimpered.
Cosmomi's cat eyes watched the Blob hop around and grumbled, "At least one of us is happy."
"Hi!" The third child had popped out of nowhere and greeted the tired group. "Time to play!"
"Give us five minutes, will ya?" Aurora begged but the child disregarded her plead.
"This game is 'Cockadoo'. Scare the Cockadoo with that trumpet."
Pointed by the child's wand, four trumpets were lined up near the edge of the island. Across and lined were four large buttons, round and soft like the domes of mushrooms.
"Is that all?" Cosmomi asked, expecting something more than that.
"The game ends when time is up or..." The child paused.
"Or what?" Aurora questioned.
"Or Cockadoo chases you. That is..."
"That is?" Black inquired.
"It depends," the child cheered. "Bwye-Bwye."
"Hey! Wait! What do you mean by 'it depends'?" Aurora demanded terribly. However, the child did not answer but jumped off the island, disappearing into the clouds. Aurora heaved a sigh. "I guess we have no choice but to get this started."
"I wonder what he meant by 'it depends'," Black inquired.
"Who knows," Cosmomi replied.
Walking to the trumpets, the platinum flying cat was the first to spot something in the blue sky. "Aurora, we got company."
In the distance, a flock of strange birds flew towards them. They were pink with multicolored feathers of brightness. Small yet plump, stubby wings carried them away. Cockadoos were heading their way.
"Okay." Aurora examined the situation carefully. "We have to scare a flock of harmless birds with tubes... That sounds easy."
Before Cosmomi could quote with sarcasm, Aurora leaped onto a button. Pressure burst in the trumpet as a loud brush of force blew a Cockadoo away, off to the horizon. Her carefree grin widened as she jumped onto another, blowing another Cockadoo far away. Seeing this, the flying cats and the blob joined in, jumping and prancing on the buttons, low pitched music gusting the Cockadoo.
"Hey, this isn't so bad," Black cried with glee.
"Yeah. I wonder why that weird kid said it de-" A peck of his ear made Cosmomi shout in pain. "Ouch! What did you do that for!?"
"Huh?"
"You bit me on the ear!" the older brother hissed, pointing to his ear.
"But...I didn't do anything," Black whined.
"Hey, hey," Aurora cried out, as the music of the trumpets stopped. "Would you two calm down?"
But the flying cats ignored her. While the catfight went on, Green turned its attention to the sky and in alarm, squealed and pointed its ears up high. "Qwee! Qwee!"
"Well, someone did it and you were a few inches near me!" Cosmomi spat.
"I really didn't do anything!"
"Guys!" Aurora screamed, holding the cats back away from each other. "Stop fighting. Cosmomi, maybe he didn't do anything."
"Qwee!"
"But someone bit my ear!" Cosmomi yelled.
"Look. Don't be so enraged with Black. He is your younger brother. Maybe he didn't mean it."
"But I didn't do anything," Black hollered.
"Qwee!"
"Well, if you didn't, then who did?" Aurora asked.
"QWEE!"
"What, Green!?" Black and Cosmomi barked, nearly frightening the Dragon Guardian.
The Blob froze but calmly pointed an ear at the sky. "Qwee?"
Up in the heavens, another flock of Cockadoos was drawing near. This time, their number has tripled. The Dragon Guardian and her companions backed away as the shadow of the storm domed over them.
"Uh... Black, I'm sorry that I thought you did it," Cosmomi apologized to Black.
"And I'm sorry too," Black expressed regretfully.
"Can we apologize later and do one little thing?" Aurora asked.
"What's that?" the flying cats questioned in unison.
"RUN!!!" Aurora took a sprint and wasting no time, the flying cats and the blob scrambled to run. The flight of Cockadoos chased, pecking Aurora on the head and pecking at the creatures.
"THIS IS NOT FUNNY ANYMORE!!!" Aurora screamed.
"HELP!!!" Black cried.
"Wait a minute! Shouldn't this game end by NOW!!!?" Cosmomi wondered but now wasn't the time to be answered. For the flock of Cockadoos was crowding over them.
"TIME'S UP!" the three children chanted together with a wave of their wands. In a matter of moments, the Fungies vanished into the soil of the island while some, injured by Rue's weapon, ran away. The Imps stopped playing the tube-trumpets as balls of different colors. The Cockadoos, seeing their fun had ended, flew away.
The passengers' star-platforms appeared below their feet, taking them back to the island where Mel's atelier was standing. Rue quickly jumped off, watching the star-platform disappearing. He straightened his head and saw another star-platform landing nearby. There resting on it was Mint.
"Mint, are you alright?" Rue asked as he neared the star-platform.
"Do I look alright to you!?" Mint moaned as she got to her knees. But before she could jump off, the star-platform disappeared beneath her feet. Her bones felt as if they were going to break when she fell onto the ground. "Ouch..."
The last star-platform landed near. Rue was surprised to see Aurora and the creatures were badly hurt as if a flock of birds attacked them wildly. Clothes and fur were torn. Only one thing remained intact was the blob, Green.
"Aurora, are you okay?" Rue asked.
"I hate Cockadoos..." she groaned.
"Who's bloody idea was it?" Mint asked.
Everyone eyed at the platinum flying cat. "Hey! It was only a suggestion!"
"I almost died back there!" Mint screamed.
"I think Mel should be here by now," Rue suggested, hoping to cut short another argument.
"Let's check," Black consented.
The trio approached the door of the atelier. Rue took a hand and knocked the door. A bell-like sound resounded. While they waited, the elevator slowly rose behind them, carrying a woman onboard.
Her curly orange hair was curled into ponytails. Her eyes gleamed bluish-light. Her taste for fashion was, without doubt, utterly bizarre. She wore a pink pinafore over a creamy blouse and white gloves. Tied around her collar was a mixture of a pink bow and a deep blue tie. Over her fancy socks, her pointed shoes were cherry-red. The head of a stuffed bunny was sewn to her hat, which a large green bow was connected to.
By her side as companions, two cats fluttered with bat wings. Unlike Cosmomi and Black, these had no bodies but their heads gave cute smiles that maybe for some people, they like toys to adore.
Quiet as a mouse, which the creatures could not sense her presence; she jumped off the elevator and walked towards her visitors.
"Hello, there."
At the sound of the woman's greeting, the trio turned. They were shocked at the sight of her, jumped with fright and widened eyes. For the flying cats, they were more surprised to see the weird flying companions, only in shock to see their heads weren't connected to their bodies, if they had bodies. Each traveler had their own thought of surprise.
'….............................................................................Am I dreaming or what?' Rue wondered.
'...........................................................................Either I'm imagining or she's crazy!' Aurora thought wildly.
'.................................................................................She's totally nuts,' Mint uttered in her mind.
"What's wrong with all of you?" the woman asked, seeing they have not spoken a word for the past three minutes. "Why are you looking at me funny? Is there a booger on my face?"
"Huh? No, um...I was just looking at...the fancy stuff you have," Rue quickly answered, not wishing to be rude.
"I was just thinking that you're a frea...that you're different," Mint told her.
"Different?" she echoed. "Like some kind of freak?"
The princess jumped as the woman said those words that she herself was about to say. It was as if she'd read her mind. "NO, NO! I didn't say that!"
'I can't believe her!' Aurora shook her head, one hand across the face.
"Qwee!"
The green blob bounced to the woman, its eyes exceeding a smile.
"Well, hello, Green," the woman greeted.
"WHAAAT!?" Cosmomi and Black screamed, disbelieving that this woman knew Green very well.
"Wait a minute!" Aurora shouted. "How do you know Green? I've known Green for years and I've never met you before!"
The woman shone a smile to the Dragon Guardian. "have known him and someone else for a long time as well."
Aurora blinked several times, not knowing what she meant.
"So...are you Mel?" Rue asked.
"Uh-huh. Some people call me 'Fancy Mel'."
'No kidding...' Mint thought.
"Hello, Mel. My name is Rue. This is Aurora and Mint. We came here because we need your help."
"Help?"
"So, you want to break the seal at the seal at the lake ruins," Fancy Mel questioned as she sat on the cushion of a giant mushroom.
In the comfort of her atelier, Rue had handed her the cube and the trio talked to her about the lake ruins and the purpose of the cube.
"Yes," Rue replied. "We need to use this cube to do that."
"That's why we're here," Mint added.
"Can you please help us?" Aurora asked.
"Nope."
"What?" Rue shouted when he heard Fancy Mel's answer.
"Huh!?" Mint shrieked.
"Why!?" Aurora demanded kindly yet her tone had a hint of panic.
"Do you have any idea what you're dealing with?" Mel asked to the travelers. "The relic is not your ordinary magic item. If you play with it..."
Before the trio could notice, a sense of powerful magic bringing up alarmed the flying cats.
"Uh oh!" Black shouted, flying to one side.
"Scramble!" Cosmomi warned as he flew away, but for the trio, they weren't quick when Mel chanted the word, "Poof!".
A blast of magic that sprinkled of stars threw the travelers. Rue's back slammed against the wall while Aurora's body ached from hitting the wall and Mint felt the blast as if a ghost had thrown her across the room.
Mel laughed. And Green, it hopped happily, thinking its' master and her friends were having fun.
"Gotcha!" Mel droned. "Y'okay?"
Rue slowly got to his feet. "Scared the life out of me."
"I'm sorry," Mel apologized. "Thought I should lighten the mood a little. You're so serious."
The girls got up onto their feet, each with offense and pain.
"What the heck's your problem?" Mint demanded sharply.
"Damn, that hurt!" Aurora groaned and eyed the flying cats. "Lucky for you two."
"Don't blame us," Cosmomi yelled. "We did warn you!"
"We just sensed her magic," Black exclaimed.
"Well, next time, warn us sooner!" the Dragon Guardian snapped.
"As I've said before, I am sorry," Mel apologized. "But for now, listen to me. Really, the relic is very dangerous item. Even if you are a low-class magician, you should know this."
"What do you mean 'low-class'!?" Mint barked.
"Oh, what I meant to say was...if you're a trained magician, you should know how dangerous the relic is."
'Who cares. I just want it,' Mint thought with ignorance.
"Over the years, many have pursued it and paid the price, some with their lives. Relics abound in this world but the one you're seeking is Valen's relic," Mel explained.
A strike at Rue's mind stirred as the name was announced. 'Valen? I've never heard of him. Why does that name sound so familiar?'
"Who?" Mint asked.
"You've never heard of Valen? My, aren't we ignorant."
"I heard of him," Cosmomi spoke out and turned to Aurora. "Remember one of your grandfather's books, Aurora?"
"Oh, yeah. Valen was the most powerful Aeon, right?" Aurora inquired.
"Yes, that's right," Mel replied. "Valen could raise mountains and move the stars at will."
"No way," Rue gasped.
"Who knows if it's true."
"But he died like the other Aeons, right?" Mint asked.
"Uh-huh. His demise is still a mystery. Some say he had too much power and destroyed himself."
"Really...?" Aurora inquired.
"I hope, by now, you realize how dangerous your pursuit is. Valen's relic embodies powers beyond our knowledge. Who knows what will happen if the seal is broken. Worst case...it might destroy the world."
"Dang... Valen's relic is that powerful?" the princess asked once again.
At this moment, a Cockadoo, who seemed to be a pet, began chasing after one of Mel's strange flying cats.
"There's no doubt. It's the most powerful relic in existence." Mel stopped as she noticed a difference on the princess's face. "...Why are you grinning?"
"Hee-Hee-Hee-Hee-Heee..." Mint laughed, a grin stretched wide to her cheeks. "The most powerful relic. Perfect!"
"Huh?" everyone uttered.
"It's mine," Mint shouted. "Valen's relic is mine!"
"Weren't you listening to me?" Mel asked the princess.
"No worries. I'll take care of everything. As long as I'm around, I'm not gonna let Valen or his relic destroy the world," Mint told her with such confidence. She turned away, still grinning. 'Because I'm gonna rule the world!'
Aurora's mouth gapped open. For she being the protector of the world, hearing Mint's reason would be a shock to the Dragon Guardian. Aurora couldn't believe this girl that stood as her rival.
Mint never noticed the cat with bat wings zigzag pass and the Cockadoo spinning towards her. It charged at her, sending her to the floor. It quickly flapped its wings as its dizziness stabled and flew away.
"But there is a big risk that the relic will destroy the world," Mel warned.
"...I don't care." Rue ignored her warning. "I have no choice. I've came this far...spent everyday for last three years looking for the relic. I can't stop now."
"I guess I'll have to agree with you, Rue," Aurora told him. "...Mel, I'm sorry to say this but I can't stop as well. I can't just lock the door and throw away the key. I need the relic no matter what. I'm not going to give up, not now, not ever."
The boy took noticed of her grip. It tightened as she spoke her words. He knew it in her eyes; she was determined as much as he was.
"Aye-yi-yi. Aren't we all stubborn," Mel uttered. "Oh, well, it's pretty obvious I can't talk you out. Mint, I guess you'll never give up as well until you learn your lesson."
"Hey, don't underestimate me," Mint droned. "I've been through a lot, and there's been nothing I can't handle."
"My, aren't we confident. Ok. If you're that determined, go for it. Maybe it'll turn out to be a good lesson for your ego."
"Wait!" Cosmomi declared. "Does that mean-"
"Yes, I'll help you. I'll take a look at that cube," Mel consented.
"Really!?" Rue shouted.
"You're gonna go after the relic with or without my help anyway. So I might as well help."
"Alright!" Mint cheered. "Thank!"
But her joyfulness was stopped, as there was a price. "But under one condition. I'll help you if you help me. It's about the Poppul Purrels. You played with them earlier, right?"
"Poppul Purrels...?" Aurora echoed. "Oh, you mean those dwarfs outside?" Rue asked the fancy magician.
"Yes. They're my cute helpers. The four of them help me around the atelier."
"Four?" Mint echoed with a raised eyebrow. "That's weird. We only saw three."
"One of them is missing. I sent him to go shopping, and he hasn't come back since. I don't think he went very far. I'm so worried about him."
"So you want us to find him?" Aurora asked.
"Exactly," Mel intoned. "I'll examine the cube if you find him. Compared to looking for the relic, it's easy, right?"
"Yes," Rue replied.
"Of course! It'll be a piece of cake," the princess cried out.
"We'll find him," agreed Aurora.
"Come back here when you find him. By then, I should be done examining the cube," Mel predicted.
"Thank you," Rue thanked.
"I hope you work fast," Mint hoped. "Because I'll find the missing Poppul Purrel in no time."
"You mean 'we' find the missing Poppul Purrel in no time," Aurora corrected the princess, shooting a glare at her.
They took off, walking to the door. The creatures followed, but Green squealed to Mel, a sound that meant "goodbye", before bouncing after the Dragon Guardian.
"Wait." The trio halted and looked back, just when Mel spoke out. "Rue, there's something I want to ask you."
They waited for her to speak but in a moment of silence, she shook her head.
"Never mind. I'll save it for next time."
"Are you sure?" the silver-haired boy asked.
"Uh-huh. I'll see you later."
"Goodbye."
"Bye," Aurora said.
"See ya," Mint droned with a wave of her hand.
"B'Bye," Mel chanted. And with that, the trio exited the atelier and boarded the elevator. Mel jumped off the mushroom and trotted to the window, watching them leave. "Rue... Poor boy. He still doesn't have a clue."
"But does he need to know so soon?"
In the corner of the atelier, leading against the pink-wallpaper-pasted wall appeared a girl. Calm and knowledgeable with skills, yet in her amber eyes showed false cruelty and fear would shimmer over one who saw her. Her hair was colored similar as Aurora's but was tied in a ponytail by a ribbon. She looked exactly like the Dragon Guardian, however a shadow of another person encased in this girl.
She wore a battle suit, made of unbreakable, protective material and metal, made for marital arts. Fixed to her knees and legs were mechanical armor-plated parts and connected around her wrists were armor-plated wristbands.
Held to the armor-plated wristbands were blades that stretched to her shoulders. If an enemy were to attack, they would be easily sliced in half by one stroke of her blade. Stripped to her back, merging from her shoulder blades, was a turbo booster with wings jointed to it. The wings were frames instructed of metal and energy. The emerald transparent feathers of flight had eased away until she needed to fly. Around her head was an upside-down technical hair band. Crowned on her head were horns of a machined dragon.
Part dragon, part human in blood. But part cyborg in body. A living fossil from a forgotten race.
Mel knew what this stranger was. She knew well, this was only a copy of the real being, controlled by another. An illusion was before her. And she knew who the spirit was.
"Hi, Aura. How long has it been since we met?"
"Try twenty years," the creature suggested, giving a friendly smile. "How is the old dragon? Sleeping, perhaps?"
"For as long as I can remember, yes."
"Hmph... That dragon. Ignorant as ever."
"You two have the same ego system," Mel laughed. A spark of anger ignited over the creature, despite she kept her calmness. "You are always ignorant as well. From what Wylaf told me, you were usually ignoring all advices from the elder dragons and ended up in all sort of trouble."
"Tempting..." the creature snapped, keeping her building rage from disrupting her calmness, which soon came to ease.
"I see you have taken a place within Aurora and being a Dragon Spirit, you've taken her form. Does it have to do for what happened twenty years ago?"
"You read minds too deeply," Aura laughed softly.
"And you are no different back then when you, yourself were a dragon."
Aura gave in once a pause hung over. "Back then, I wanted to be stronger to have a chance to battle the old dragon. But before, I could do that, I've died and my spirit was sealed away to a prisoner of a sword, The Omega Sword."
"And when Aurora found the swords; The Omega Sword and The Alpha Sword and the Eternal Light, you entered her body. As most magicians would call a parasite."
"Not a parasite," Aura corrected Mel. "By the dragons' rule of death, if the soul of a dragon meets with the soul of a dragonoid, they can share the same body until that soul accepts to rest in peace or find a new body. But at that time, she was too young... Too young."
The flashing of the vision of a black cursed sword darting to a child of six entered her mind as she hung her head and sighed.
"Well, it can't be changed. As Wyalf used to say, "What's in the past is past"," Mel told her, as if trying to cheer her up.
"That is easy said than done. But then again...I would not have this opportunity to watch her fight for her own wishes. And that is much stronger than I am. Much stronger." She turned to Mel, standing away from the wall. "That's enough about me and Aurora. I believe the subject was about that boy."
"Yeah. He doesn't know. Poor boy."
"...I guess I cannot stop you from telling him. Like Aurora finding the truth of her role, he needs to find his memory."
"Yes... I'll have to agree with you."
A chuckle escaped from the spirit.
"What is it, Aura?"
"Seeing you, it is like comparing you to someone else. A little girl named Rachael. Only her taste of fashion isn't as bizarre as yours."
"I take that as a commotion," Mel told her, not taking it as a threat. Mel was looking back to the window, a pleasant smile across her face. "Hmm... I can't wait to meet her."
Silence filled the atelier once more. This time, Mel knew her guest was gone like the wind, returning to her place. Aura has disappeared, a spectral image fading away.
Vickie: Sob I still got 30 more chapters to go. Why me? ;-;
Aurora: Sheez! If it's too much, just try shorten it!
Vickie: But it was already shortened!
Aurora: �;
Vickie: Anyway, if you all are wondering who Aura is and what a Dragon Spirit is-
Chibi Victoria: Pops out of nowhere I can tell you!
CRASH! BANG! SLAM! WHAM!
Vickie: Packs unconscious Chibi Victoria into a bag and throws her into the trashcan You'll all have to read the next chapters in order to find out.
And now for the reviews:
Vickie: To FirePhoenix33, thank you, thank you. Bows Takes a lot of thinking to blend everything together. Hope you finish yours. I'd like to see.
To Adi-chan, thanks! I'll keep up!
To Animegirl8, wow a lot of you guys are clueless as I am. (No offends) And I seem to recall a cat beast chasing after ya. Eyes Fiona or Cosmomi Oh well. I have continued as you asked and so hope you liked this. (And please don't call me Vicky. That's what all my family calls me. And I didn't know you have an aunt named Vicky).
And finally to Falconfw, thanks for your wonderful review And yes I've played both Chrono Cross and Chrono Trigger and yes, my character bio was set up a little like CC's character bios. :p And thanks that you'd like it. Hope you like this chapter too.
And hope to any passer-by who is reading this likes the fanfic. Note that I updated the Character Bios so take a peek lookie!