CHAPTER 6: The Explanation of the Everlasting Crystal

Arden and Bill kept running from Basil and Toby. As they ran faster, so did Toby. Arden ran so fast, it was hard for Bill to keep up, and Toby was going so fast, it was even hard for Basil to keep up.

Arden and Bill ran until they came to slide-like tube, leading down the park. Arden dived right in, with Bill diving in behind her. Bill and Arden slid down the tube's chute and after about fifteen seconds of moving, Arden and Bill came to an opening and dived out. Arden fell on the ground whole body first, with Bill coming out landing right on her. Arden crawled off of Bill, stood up, and helped Bill get up.

"Come on, Bill. It'll take Basil awhile to get here," she said. Arden and Bill started walking together in the park. After being quiet for awhile, Arden started to talk about everything that has been going on.

"Hey, Bill, you're probably wondering what's going on," she muttered. Bill shot a curious look at her.

"Well, yeah, I would like an explanation," he replied. They sat down and Arden began to explain.

"Okay, here's the thing. Ever since April, I've been researching that special artifact, the crystal, which resulted with me being in my room non-stop all the time reading thousands of books. Well, being in my room all the time made everyone upset, and I started to lose my temper with everyone. I called my step-sister a bitch, yelled at my step-dad, almost picked a fight with Basil's friend, pitched a fit with Basil, almost killed him with my switchblade, ran away from him, and, well, here we are! It wasn't until I read a book called 'Gems, Specimens, and other Artifacts', that I learned that the crystal was here, in London! I have to find it and make sure doesn't fall into Ratty's hands," explained Arden. As she spoke, her shoulders dropped, her voice softened and her hands began to shake.

"And…throughout that whole time, I haven't really…understood…why…me…oh my God…" she said, with her voice breaking.

She covered her eyes and the tears she tried to hold in back in Chapter Three came back. Bill placed his hand on her shoulder. Arden shot a look of extreme despair and pain at him, as soon as he lizard's hand touched her. Arden tuned her face away hiding her face from Bill.

After Arden shed some more tears, she wiped them away and stared at Bill. The lizard hugged her for comfort. She smiled at him. Then, Bill started to talk.

"Arden, I need to talk to you about something," he said. Arden sat up straight and listened carefully.

"What is it, Bill?" she asked. Bill cleared his voice.

"Arden, you've got to understand something about the crystal. You see, the crystal…well…I'm sure that what you've found out from your studying is that it can help anyone survive any attack, from cancer to…say, an arrow shot…or a revolver gun shot…by any chance," explained Bill.

Arden was getting suspicious. The arrow shot was from the first story and the revolver gun shot was from the second story.

"How do you know about that?" she asked.

"All the other thugs 'n' I are still talkin' about it, without letting the professor know of course," replied Bill.

Arden nodded her head, letting the lizard know that she understood. She then stared at the sky, thinking about everything that had been going on.

"This is crazy," she thought.

Bill cleared his throat and Arden looked right back at him.

"Anyway, the crystal not only can protect you, it can also posses you. You see, once you get so worked up about finding out more about it and using it, it'll make you go crazy with possession. The crystal will captivate you and make you go mad! It'll even make you turn against your loved ones, like friends, family, allies, and acquaintances. It doesn't mention about that in the books because when they were written five-hundred years ago in 1398. The one who created the crystal was a muskrat named Aristotle McDermott. When he used the crystal, his family left him all alone in the country of Austria. During his time in Austria, he wrote every single book about the crystal such as the one you mentioned earlier. After writing the books, he went to live with new friends he made, but, alas, the crystal did him no good there. The crystal drove him mad and he even threatened one of his friend's daughters, a squirrel named Athena. Because of the near death experience, Athena's father brought him out to a forest, where Aristotle was left for dead. After surviving for only a few days, he died in the forest after being attacked by an anaconda. After he died, another one of friends, a chipmunk named Artemis Pattison, your ancestor, discovered the books, read the books, went mad, and decided to take them for himself. He used the books to travel to Austria and stole the crystal. He, his family, the books, and the crystal traveled to many countries including Japan, Scotland, and finally to stay, here in London, England. Unfortunately, before he died of old age in 1467, he buried the books and the crystal, so no one could find it. He hid them away from the rest of the world…just as you hid yourself away from the rest of the world. On his death bed, he told his only son, Apollo Pattison, all about the books and the crystal. His last words were "keep it safe…", and there he died on March 29, 1454 at the age of seventy-one. Then, four-hundred thirty-nine years later, Basil of Baker Street found the books and the crystal and went crazy like Aristotle and your ancestor, Artemis Pattison. In fact unlike the other two, Basil almost killed his housemaid, Mrs. Judson, which by the way is the reason why she's so hard on Basil all the time! After realizing what he almost did, he threw the books away and placed the crystal in a small white box and threw them all out, only to find out later that he found it, of all the creatures on Earth! Professor Ratigan had to find it! Basil was crushed! That rat's had it ever since. He used it to survive his fall off Big Ben, survive your arrow shot, and your revolver gun shot! What do you say 'bout all that?!" explained Bill.

Arden was shocked and surprised. She almost fainted because of all this information.

"…so that's why Basil isn't tense like everyone else! And after treating him so badly!" she said. She felt so sick, she felt like throwing up because she was so guilty.

Arden rose to feet, kissed Bill on the cheek as a sign of thank you, said goodbye, and there she left. Bill knew immediately that she was leaving to find Basil. He understood.

Away Arden went…