I shortened the battles.
Also—there's a flashback in this one. Might be a bit sweet, it involves Mokka and Ulyssa.
I personally love Mokka. Thus, I see those two as close friends. Maybe more. Depends on how I lay this out.
PS: Sorry... for taking forever to update this. I have not given up on this 'fic... ^^ But, updates may be strained. Hopefully, I'll be able to work this like... something like a webcomic—an update every week, or so, now that things may very well be organized. (I'm hoping.)
Crash. That was the best way to explain what had taken place, as the pale haired-girl crawled out of the wreck of her rocket. She groaned, putting a hand to her head... this didn't look like any kind of wind planet to her! Where were they? "Ungh... mine head..." Ulyssa whimpered, forcing herself to get up. She was practically unscathed; just a few bumps and bruises.
The mage looked around; she brought up her arm to shield her eyes from the sand as she walked towards another, blurred figure. Another... rocket? And, beside the rocket, was... Lassi! Ulyssa's eyes went wide as she took off into a sprint, stopping beside the possibly injured Lassi. "Friend Lassi!"
"Ugh... w-water... g-get me the... kovowater..." the rabbit murmured, causing an annoyed-yet-relieved expression to cross the mage's face. Typical. Ulyssa trotted over to the rocket, knowing that it would be in there, if anywhere else. Sure enough, there was the kovowater. After obtaining it, the mage walked back over. "Here, friend Lassi..."
The rabbit took the water, and drank it instantly. She got up, breathing in carefully. "Ah, that hit the—LYSSA? What are you doing here?" Lassi's response caused Ulyssa to burst out into slight laughter, a grin on her lips. But, it was fake; Ulyssa was really scared.
"I came after you, silly," Ulyssa explained, a smirk on her lips now. "I couldn't just let mine friend wander the deep, desolate areas of space alone, could I?"
The two exchanged laughter, right before getting up, and continuing on with their journey. The two paused during a sandstorm, causing the mages to flinch, and fall back. "Gak—whatever is with this sand...?" Ulyssa winced, looking over at Lassi almost instantly. "Friend Lassi, could you...?"
"Already on it," the wind mage replied, a smile on her face. "Just leave it to me!"
"Hear me wind! Hear my call! Dancing in the sky... Shaping the clouds... Whispering to the heavens... Hear my plea, And send your gale!"
Lassi chanted her spell, then caused the wind to surround the pair—in minutes, the sand was blown out of their way. It was time to continue on with their quest. As the two Heroines ran forward, a claw shot out of the ground. Ulyssa's eyes widened, shoving Lassi out of the way as the other claw emerged from the sandy terrain. "W-What is THAT?" Lassi cried out, forcing herself back up and staring upwards at the creature in awe.
"It is a-an... Antlion!" Ulyssa gasped, bright violet eyes going wide with fear as she prepared herself. "Friend Lassi! Run ahead, I shall meet you there!"
"But, what about—!"
"Trust me, friend Lassi," Ulyssa said, eyes narrowed in determination. She had a plan, it seemed.
Lassi hesitated, then ran ahead. Ulyssa stared up at the beast, then smirked, charging up a spell in her hands. "Vile beast, how dare you even show your ugly face at us?" Ulyssa taunted, the beast roaring as Ulyssa began to chant something under her breath. She gasped, jumping back as a claw came to strike her; Ulyssa's eye brow twitched in anger. "T-Tch! I'll show you—Shadow Die!"
As she struck the fiend, gusts of wind came at the beast from behind. "Take that!" Lassi's shrill, albeit angry, voice called out. Ulyssa's eyes widened, jumping back swiftly as the beast fell onto the ground. It roared, then began to vanish. Ulyssa put her hands on her hips, and laughed—this, also, was a mask to hide her true feelings.
"Aha! No one can beat us!" Lassi called out, pumping her fists into the air. Ulyssa gave a thumbs up, and winked in agreement. Half of her expected comments from the others, but she knew they were alone now. After a little bit of congratulating each other, the two Heroes returned to the path they were traveling...
Kahve Ruins.
"Whoa... Lyssa, um... this place is, well," Lassi stuttered, following her friend through the darkness. Ulyssa blinked, looking back at her friend with curious, amethyst colored eyes. She could feel this... misery, deep within this place. It was causing her to cringe. "It's creepy. Can we leave now? Please?"
"No, friend Lassi," Ulyssa responded, turning back to face the darkness. "We must keep searching."
An alarm went off, causing the Heroines to jump, and look around. "Intruders detected, initiating purge and eliminate program." A robotic, cold voice spoke. It was nothing like Mokka's, and it caused Ulyssa to look back in shock. Robots, three of them! Ulyssa froze up, then shook her head, re-entering reality for a few moments.
"No. Way." Lassi winced, looking at Ulyssa, giving a look of shock. "What do we do?"
"Friend Lassi, I have a plan, just ease your mind..." Ulyssa whispered, retaining her calm for a few moments... right until she grabbed the rabbit-human's arm, and took off into a sprint into the next rooms. "And that is to run for our lives!"
The pair kept running, running passed the robots, and up the stairs. Ulyssa and Lassi found themselves in a room, the pair paused to catch their breaths. It hurt to breathe, almost. Ulyssa leaned against the wall, hoping the robots would be at bay for—at least—a little while. She ran a hand through her white hair, a necklace slipping out of her shirt. Lassi blinked, looking over at her friend.
"Hey, Lyssa... what's that?" Lassi asked, walking over. The necklace was simple, a star with an onyx stone in the middle. Ulyssa blinked, then smiled, putting her hand to the necklace... she remembered when she got it perfectly. Mokka got it for her, as crazy as it sounded. Ulyssa thought back to the very moment she got it...
It was several years ago, when Ulyssa first came to Will-o'-Wisp. She was alone, no one knew her, and she was painfully shy and afraid. Everyone thought she was strange... all except for the deadpan robot, named Mokka. Mokka found her fascinating, a complete difference from the other girls of Will-o'-Wisp Academy.
"Hello. What's your name? My name is Mokka, and I'm your classmate."
"Oh... good-day, Mister Mokka. Mine name is Ulyssa Crestmoone."
Such simple introductions, but they meant so much for the orphaned mage.
"Need any help with your bags?" Mokka asked, kneeling down, and offering help to the now fallen mage with her books and bags, which she had dropped—thanks to some bratty bully who tripped her. Ulyssa tilted her head, her young face and features revealing a sense of joy, and uncertainty. It was the first sign of kindness anyone gave her.
And in class, "Ha-ha, Ulyssa misses her Mommy and Daddy!" The bullies chanted, causing Ulyssa to go dead quiet. The robot stepped in to shut them up, too. "You guys are pathetic, really," Mokka had said, without much emotion to his voice as he came to comfort the distraught mage. "You're making fun of a freshman, because she's an orphan? Miss Madeleine would not hear of this."
"Gah! Not Miss Madeleine! Don't tell her!"
Then, on the Mage's birthday, a few months from the day she came into the school, the robot had something for her. "Hey, Lyssa—I heard it was your birth anniversy." The way he worded it caused the dark mage to laugh. "Oh, silly friend Mokka! Yes, it's my birthday." She had responded.
Instantly, the robot handed a silver necklace, with a star... and an onyx stone in the middle. This caused the girl to blush slightly, taking it—any type of kindness to her would cause such a reaction.
"F-Friend Mokka, you... um, th-thank you."
Since that day, they had been the closest of friends. Ulyssa unintentionally was holding the pendant tightly, until it began to hurt her hand. "Well? Where'dya get it? Was it a boyfriend?" Lassi asked, an evil grin stealing her expression. Ulyssa blushed. B-Boyfriend? H-Haha! Friend Lassi, you're silly. Ulyssa thought, the expression fading back to it's usual determination. "A friend got it for me, a long time ago. It's never left mine side since then."
Lassi tilted her head, then blinked. She went to ask who it was, then seen something at the corner of her eye: A rocket. Lassi turned, her jaw dropped in shock. "Lyssa... is that a...?" Lassi gasped, eyes going very wide. "Why, yes! It's a rocket!" Ulyssa responded, shooting upright, and running towards the rocket excitedly, Lassi in tow. "Freedom!"
Yeah. "Freedom". So they thought...
She was interrupted by a red robot. "Intruder. Purge!" It responded, causing Ulyssa and Lassi to skid to a stop. The two looked at eachother, then went to take off. "Run for it!" Lassi yelled, right before the two were hit by an electrical punch...
Khave Prison.
"Ugh..." Ulyssa flinched, pushing herself up. She appeared to be in some sort of jail cell? The mage rubbed her eyes, then looked around. She bit her lip, then looked around a bit more. Her heart raced, the sensation of loneliness returning. This place was creepy. The walls were slate gray, with a blue hue, and... the sensation of dispair... it was still around. It made her feel sickly. "F-Friend Lassi? F-Friend... M-Mokka...? A-Anybody?"
"L-Lyssa...?" A faint voice echoed, causing a large robot that was watching them, to run over and investigate. Lassi screamed in terror, backing up to the wall, her eyes wide with horror. Ulyssa scowled, then got up and walked over to the side. A gigantic robot? Scaring her friend? Not happening, not today.
How dare that thing frighten dear, friend Lassi? Ulyssa thought, narrowing her eyes into a glare as she chanted. The large bot turned, then went to stop Ulyssa. She gave a smirk, and repeated the chant she knew so well: "Gods of Shadows, Gods of the Night, lend me your strength to quench the Light!"
In a matter of seconds, the area was darkened to a pitch black. The robot struggled, then collapsed into the spike-trapped moat. When Ulyssa heard the crash, her eyes adjusted to the darkness, seeing that the mechanical beast was stuck within the moat... allowing her to run out of the way and out of the cell! How was that for luck, huh? She swiftly ran out, and towards the switches—and pressed it, allowing the bridge to appear, so Lassi could escape. Thank God, it was the right button, huh?
"W-Whoa? Wh-what's goin' on?" Lassi cried out, running over to the corner, and covering her head in fear. It was scary to her—her friend could have been killed by the enemy, and they could be after her next! She heard footsteps getting closer, then froze up. "Friend Lassi—" the voice began, before Lassi turned around, nearly hitting the girl.
"ACK! Stay back, mechafreak!"
"Mechafreak, friend Lassi? Where?"
"Oh! Lyssa! Thank Kovomaka it's you!"
Ulyssa started to laugh at Lassi's reaction, only to get that expected 'glare' in return. The shadow-user smiled gently, then tilted her head to the side. "Relax, friend Lassi... see? The 'mechafreak' is no more! Now, let us get out of here, yes?" Ulyssa stated, taking her friend's hand and guiding her out—she seemed okay, but Lassi was beginning to see passed the 'shell': Ulyssa was petrified.
"Yeah, c'mon! We gotta get to that rocket!"
"Yes, yes we do!"
"Maybe borrow it..."
"... without intention of returning it, yes, friend Lassi? I do not want to 'be nice' and 'civil' to—"
Click. Crash. Wirr. The two mages froze up, looking back with a horrified expression. Oh God... it wasn't dead. Wait, could robots die? Now wasn't the time! Ulyssa's heart raced, backing up a bit... man, it didn't look happy... "Uh oh." Ulyssa murmured, looking around quickly—no escape. They would have to fight it.
"Eeeeeeek! W-What do we do...?" Lassi cried out, trembling in fear... but, by the look on her friend's face, she knew what Ulyssa intended to do—she was crazy. Lassi went to drag Ulyssa away, but she stayed put. "A-Are you insane? That thing'll kill us!" Ulyssa shook her head, getting into position—she had a plan...
"Trust me—we won't, friend Lassi... look closely..." Ulyssa stated, a smirk forming onto her lips—Lassi blinked in reply, unsure at first... then finally caught on. On the "Secruity robot", there was a piece missing... you could see the... 'circuits'—or, whatever it was Mokka called them—very clearly. Attack that, and watch it fry! Seemed like a pretty good idea.
Lassi ran ahead, much to Ulyssa's surprise, and pointed at the robot. "Wind Talon!" She yelled, the vicious gust of wind slamming against the robot. Shocks began to surround the broken plate... then smoke started coming out... and, neither of them were stupid enough NOT to realize that this was a bad sign.
"Oh geeze—run!" Lassi yelled, dashing towards the exit, with Ulyssa in tow. There was no chance of survival in the prison, that was for sure! She ran down the stone, earthy steps and managed to get far enough from the entrance before the thing exploded. The impact of the explosion caused the ground to shake, and the girls to fall over—unfortunately, there was a hole beside them, and they fell directly into it.
Things were a blur...
Spiney Moles.
"Ugh... where are we?" Ulyssa murmured first, awakening on a bed, within a... cave? Ulyssa looked around—where was Lassi? A quick memory caused her to bite her knuckle—what if...? No! That was crazy. Lassi couldn't be—
"Hey Lyssa! Took ya long enough—get up! There's a King-guy here, and he hasta tell you something!" Lassi exclaimed, out of no where. Ulyssa nearly fell out of her bed. After this quick encounter, however, she was dragged out and into a long hallway...
Was that a giant mole with spines? "Ah, hello grand Heroes! Welcome, welcome...!" He exclaimed, excitedly, as his assistant ran to get the book. Lassi grinned, looking over at Ulyssa excitedly. Wow, what did this guy tell her? ... this may be too much for mine mind to handle... Ulyssa thought, giving a skeptical expression.
The assistant handed Ulyssa the books, as she opened it. She smiled—tilting her head. "Oh, I remember this story—well, it's part of another story—but, what does that have to do with us? We're just... kids." Ulyssa replied, bluntly—Lassi stared, then grinned. "Nope! We're HEROES—the heroes who will save the spiney moles of Erd! Think, it's just like us! The two in the story, I mean. Kinda funny, huh?"
Ulyssa stared. How did an adventure to find Miss Madeleine turn into this? Oh well—she couldn't leave this civilization to die...
"Alright—we'll help. But, friend Lassi and I do not need a reward—just... a ship, to get out of here." Ulyssa pointed out, and apparently, they... were rejoicing this fact? Oh well, it didn't matter—they just had to save this place, before that ant queen destroyed them! "Heroes, the entrance is in the digging room—take whatever supplies you need, and we will await your grand return!"
This is beginning to remind me of friend Pico's comic books. Ulyssa thought, nodding to the King. Hey, maybe this was just some bizarre dream she was having—maybe Mokka would be waking her up soon! No, not likely. The dark mage then ran off, in the direction of the ant-caves, Lassi in tow.
Ant Caverns.
"M-Maybe this wasn't such a good idea... no, I fear that it was not." Lassi murmured, having fought the fifth ant-related enemy. Ulyssa shook her head, heaving out a sigh—this wasn't easy, but... it had to be done. She glanced over at Lassi, walking a bit ahead of her. She noticed that Lassi was about to reply, but suddenly, froze up and gave a shocked expression.
"L-L-Ly-Lyssa...!" Lassi cried out, shakily pointing towards something behind Ulyssa. She looked like she was ready to faint. Ulyssa slowly glanced back, eyes going wide. Was that... the ant queen? There she lay, menacing, evil and dark looking—not too mention a little disgusting. "A-Ack..."
"Who dares disturb my slumber? Guards! Knaves! Help me dispose of these disgusting cretins!" The Ant Queen spoke, readying herself to attack. Ulyssa narrowed her amethyst eyes, and got ready for the fight of her life—no way was she going to fall... they still had to find Miss Madeleine!
"Watch out!" Lassi yelled, dodging her attack as she stood beside her friend. Ulyssa blinked, then narrowed her eyes—she couldn't screw this up. Sure, Miss Madeleine taught them how to fight, before she left... but, this was serious. The other battles were lucky flukes. No—she couldn't think like that.
"Wind Talon!" "Shadow Die!" The two exclaimed in unison, ultimately... missing their targets. Oh no. But, something... better happened. "AHA! You foolish, foolish humans—you can't defeat me...?" The Ant Queen paused, hearing—and feeling—a sudden rumbling. She looked up, shocked, as she seen the ceiling collapse in on her.
The great Ant Queen was no more. That was awfully simple. Okay, no, that was another fluke—oh, well. "Ew... I think she left us somethin'." Lassi stated, picking some weird-looking gloves up. Ulyssa looked over at them, tilting her head—they looked kind of dirty...
"Well, whatever they are, friend Lassi... we should show them to the King. Yes, it would be the best idea!" Ulyssa stated, running out. "H-Hey! Lyssa, wait up...!"
Trail to the Stars
After an interesting moment with the King, and his reaction to the diggy claws, the two were on their way again. Ulyssa looked over at Lassi, heading out from the caverns where energy was pumping out... it appeared to be heading into those ruins again. Ulyssa walked a bit ahead, Lassi in tow. "Think this is it, Lyssa?"
"I would certainly hope so, friend Lassi! I want to find mine teacher, and return to mine school and mine friends... I miss it so..." Ulyssa replied, whispering the last bit as she ran further ahead.
Clang. Click. What the heck was that? Ulyssa's eyes widened—the robots again! She grabbed Lassi's arm, and ran ahead—no time for this. Every passing second meant something BAD could be happening to either Miss Madeleine, or the rest, back home.
"Eeeeeek!" Lassi cried out, running after her friend as fast as she could. Once inside, Ulyssa stopped to catch her breath, then ran farther ahead.
The red robot was in the next room. Ulyssa bit her lip, watching electricity surround the mechafreak's 'fists'. She looked over at Lassi, and motioned her to the left—it could only get one of them... so, they would have to trick him.
"One... two... three—RUN!" Lassi yelled, heading to the left, while Ulyssa ran to the right—the robot looked both ways, unsure of which one to chase after. The two mages then ran through the door... where the rocket remained.
The two smirked, then ran ahead, climbing onto the ledge and running around—another one of those big robots were there... but, they weren't going to fight it: Not with freedom so close, that they could taste it.
"Quickly, friend Lassi! We must get out of here, or we are—no doubt—toast!" Ulyssa yelled, pulling Lassi onto the rocket, and running towards the controls. The robot turned around, beginning to try and open the latch.
"Eeeek...! Q-Quick! B-Blast off, gosh dangit!"
The ship—apparently "Neumann"—replied, as it began to come alive. As the robots ran in, the ship suddenly blasted off, throwing everyone of them against the wall. Ulyssa's jaw dropped, looking outside as they flew into the stars once more.
Would this take them to Puffoon...?
End of chapter three.
Wow, this came out... really big. Each chapter following will be "Adventure" parts—this was the "Erd Adventure", as the chapter said. Next will be Cassia's, then Gren or Puffoon...
Hope you enjoyed, and I hope the ending didn't seem too rushed...