Me: Sorry I took so long to post this. I've been having computer problems. The program this was originally typed under stopped working. I had to transfer it to a new program and it took awhile to get this thing in good shape. With out further ado on with the chapter!
Icefire: Maxxaronie doesn't own SRMTHFG, but she is holding them hostage until the ransom is paid. Until then Maxxaronie can torture them, or not, till her heart's content.
Chapter Seven: Don't Give in
The door opened and there stood a girl with shoulder length black hair and ice blue eyes. The girl was wearing a knee length dress. The top half was white the bottom half was light pink. Around the girl's waist, separating the two halves of the dress was a light blue ribbon.
"Jennifer?" Antauri asked in disbelief.
"Antauri? What are you doing here?" Jen asked but before Antauri could answer a loud crash was heard behind Jen. The girl winced and looked over her shoulder. A small black blur raced by, quickly followed by a violet furred monkey with sea blue eyes. There was a red collar with a gold bell on it on the monkey neck.
"Get back here Ivy!" the monkey cried.
"No!" a female voice responded.
Jen looked back at Antauri. "Can you wait a second?" Antauri nodded. Jen turned around and knelt. She sat there poised, every muscle tensed. When the black blur darted by again Jen's hand snapped out and grabbed the creature by the tail.
She stood up and there hanging by its tail was a very pissed looking meerkat. It had long wavy black hair with blue streaks. Around its neck was a light pink collar. Its right arm was bandaged.
The violet monkey came over to Jen, its tongue was hanging out as it panted. "Thanks a million Jen. She escaped when I tried to change the bandages on her arm."
"No problem, Wish." Jen said with a smile, but the smile faded into a serious frown. "I heard a crash before. What happened?"
"She kind of, bumped into one of the tables and a vase fell over." Wish said nervously.
Jen sighed. "I'll pick it up and tell Athelas that I wasn't paying attention and bumped into the table."
"But, Jen you'll get in trouble!" Wish exclaimed.
"Jirachi..." Jen scolded. "Don't lecture me alright? Just take care of Ivy." Jen handed the angry meerkat to Wish.
"Okay Jen." Wish held onto Ivy and left the room.
Jen turned her attention back to Antauri. "Anyway, what are you here for?"
"It's Chiro." Antauri replied and moved so the boy was in Jen's line of vision.
Jen covered her mouth and gasped. "Oh, no." she dashed out the door and to the hovering boy. She took in his features. His face was pale with the exception of his cheeks being a deep red. His breathing was shallow and ragged. He was gasping for the much needed air.
Carefully Jen pulled Chiro to her. Antauri slowly relaxed his telepathic hold on the boy, allowing him to rest fully in Jen's arms. She looked the black monkey in the eye. "Come quickly."
Jen dashed into the house followed by Antauri. She led him down the white-tiled hallways. They came to a room with the numbers 346 on the wooden door in gold letters. Jen opened the door and carried Chiro into the room. She gently placed him on top of the covers.
"Stay here with him. I'll go get Athelas." Jen said and ran out of the room. As she ran down the hallways her thoughts were panicked. Oh, what is wrong with him? He is so ill. I doubt the monkeys would let anything happen to him. So how come they let the illness get so bad? Oh, father please guide me.
She slid to a stop outside a door with the number 487 on the door and the name "Ochiharo" below it. Jen knocked on the door and waited anxiously. "Come in." Came the soft reply from within.
Jen opened the door and stepped inside. There woman with long blonde hair and piercing green eyes wearing the same thing as Jen. The only difference was she had a blue collar. Her cat-like ears were a light red color the same thing went for her tail and wings.
She was working with a boy who had bandages on one of his legs. The boy had dark brown hair, eyes, ears, and tail. His wings were light brown. He was wearing light green robes that reached his knees. The boy looked about 5.
"Athelas! There is an emergency! You are needed in room 346." Jen cried breathlessly.
Athelas blinked. "What kind of emergency?"
"There is a boy here who is having breathing problems, pale, and flushed cheeks. I doubt he got that way slowly. I know him and his friends and they never would have let him get this bad before they got help." Jen replied.
Athelas turned to the boy. "I've got to go Dylan. Some one else is in trouble." Dylan nodded. Athelas stood and jogged out of the room and down the hall. Jen closed the door to Dylan's room and raced after Athelas.
As she ran down the hall Jen felt her legs give way. She fell on the floor gasped. Her fists were clenched into fists. She looked to the ceiling and smiled. Standing over her was the transparent from of her father, the alchemist.
He no longer wore his dark robes but white robes with a gold belt instead of red. The hood was down and his gentle mismatch eyes were focused on Jen. On his back was a pair of black-feathered wings.
Jen lowered her head and closed her eyes tight. She forced herself onto her tiered legs. She looked up into her father's face and smiled. "Hello. It's been a while hasn't it?"
Indeed it has, dear daughter. His voice said gently within her head. He looked over his shoulder and vanished. Running down the hall was Mandarin.
"Jen!" Mandarin came to the girl's side. "What's going on? I saw Athelas running down the hall."
"It's Chiro. He is here and he is very ill."
"I'm coming too." Mandarin said stubbornly.
Jen held out her hand and Mandarin took it. Together they ran down the hall. Their eyes were filled with determination.
They ran up to the door with the numbers 346. Jen's legs trembled under her slight weight. She was surprised when strength flooded through her and eased away the strain in her legs. Father... he had given her his strength.
Promise me you'll never give in. The voice floated to her as though it were smoke.
I promise. She replied.
Together they went inside. Athelas looked up at their entrance. "He is terribly ill... none of the medicines we have will help him..."
Jen's heart seemed to stop beating. Her father's transparent from appeared beside her once more. This is the work of my evil side. I had created the virus when my evil side influenced me. He thought me, the good half, was gone forever. He thinks there is no way to cure the boy. He looked at Jen and she looked up at him. In order to cure him you need a feather from the feather dragon on Long Mountain. You will need the tear of the Croose Volcano phoenix, and lastly blood of Skeleton King himself.
But how are we to get the blood from him? He has none. Jen asked.
You are his relative. Your blood is his blood. Her father replied.
"I know what we need." Jen announced out loud.
"What? Even I don't know what is needed." Athelas said sadly.
"I know because I have a guardian angel."
"Guardian angel?"
"Yes, my father. He has told me we need a feather from the feather dragon of Long Mountain, a tear from the phoenix of Croose Volcano, and the blood of Skeleton King."
"How shall we obtain the blood of Skeleton King? He has none." Antauri piped up.
"I asked him that same question." Jen said and continued after a slight pause. It was obvious she was reluctant to surrender the next bit of info. "My father said I'm Skeleton King's relative. My blood is his blood."
"Very well we've got one of the items. We just need the feather and the tear." Athelas said. "Jen, would you be willing to go on an adventure?"
Jen saluted. "Anything for a friend."
Athelas nodded. "You've always been good with getting the objects I need. Go put on your travel cloths then come back here."
Jen nodded and dashed off. "I'm going with her." Antauri announced.
"No. Chiro needs you now. I can feel a strong connection between you and the boy. It is all that is keeping him alive." Athelas said. Antauri nodded in defeat. He knew she was right.
"No… You can't make her go alone." Chiro's weak voice drifted to them. They looked at the boy. He still looked as though he were still out cold. "She needs all the help she can get. I'll hold on until then. Go…" His voice trailed off and it was obvious that he had slipped into unconsciousness.
So what did you think? I'll try to post a new chapter every week. We'll see how well that goes... Please review!