Ranger24: Once again Naruto proves how dumb he can be. After I hand out some information.
Chapter 27: Naruto screws up
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
The next day early in the morning Naruto and Ranger were ready to leave. Ranger clasped hands with David.
David: I'm going to miss you.
Ranger: Same here.
Ranger then gave a little bow to Layla.
Ranger: Thank you for your hospitality ma'me. David's lucky to have a lady is kind as you around. He's tough, but he can't wheather hard times without those he cares about.
Layla had a look of indignat rage.
Ranger: Just a suggestion.
As they walked away Naruto was pretty sure he heard a smack and David yelping in pain.
When they reached the gate the guards let them through with question. When Naruto glanced back he saw, to his suprise, he Spirit sitting by the gate watching them go. Naruto just stared until with a swish of his ears Spirit walked back into the city.
Naruto: What are were-pokemon?
Ranger blinked in suprise at being asked such a question.
Ranger: Why the sudden intreast?
Naruto: I heard some one mention them while we were in Teirm. They're not real are they?
Ranger: They are quite real. During the time of the riders glory they were as reveared as the dragons. Kings and elves used to keep them as companions, though the were-pokemon were free to do as they wished. I'm afraid they're race has diminished over the years.
Naruto: Could they use magic?
Ranger: No one's quite sure but odd things did happen around them, they always seemed to know what was going on around and some how got involved.
A few hours later they were free of the traffic of the road, Naruto finally called Cortana. His mental tug was so strong Al flicked his ears in annoyance. Then with a rush of wings and a mighty roar Cortana dove out of the sky and landed next to them.
Naruto: I'll see you later!
Naruto hopped on her back.
Ranger: Have a good time.
He smiled at Cortana.
Ranger: It's good to see you Cortana.
Cortana: And you to.
Then with a mighty rush of wings they shot into the air Naruto hollering the whole way up Cortana spiraling like a miny tornado. Naruto through his arms out into the air as Cortana barrel rolled through a cloud leaving droplets of moisture on his arms and legs.
Naruto: I didn't know we could do that without the saddle!
Cortana: Neither did I.
They flew in at about until lunch. During which Naruto gave a quick mental coversation with Cortana.
Naruto: You mind if I ride Al for a bit?
Cortana: What for?
Naruto: I want to ask Ranger a couple of questions.
Cortana: Alright but tell me what he says.
Naruto: Will do.
After lunch Naruto mounted Al while Ranger was smacking some gum. Naruto quickly rode up to him.
Naruto: Can I talk to you?
Ranger: Sure, what's on your mind?
Naruto: There are somethings I've been wanting to ask you since we got to Teirm. In fact before that in some cases. For one thing it seems a little conveint that you were in carvahall when Cortana's egg appeared in the spine and then the Echoplasmares arrive, you just happen to know magic and a hell of a lot about dragons.
Ranger: Took you this long to start picking up so inconsitences?
Naruto: And who are these freinds of yours! What did you and David steal in Gilead? I also heard you mention a queen and dwarves and all that stuff so what does it all mean? And What the douche is the agoki?
Ranger glared at him.
Ranger: You eaves dropped on us. Why the hell didn't I teach you respect first instead of magic?
Naruto: Technically you taught me sword play and Dragon care first.
Ranger: Nevermind. But what makes you think this all concerns you?
Naruto: Because I'm traveling with you and if you've got some evil scheme planned I want to know what its about!
Ranger sighed.
Ranger: Why the frak are you so stubborn?
Naruto: Well I feel like I'm being stuck in a crazy game with strange rules that no one has bothered to explain to me!
Ranger rubbed his temples.
Ranger: Fine I'll start talking but I can't tell you everything. Not out of a wish to keep you in the dark but to protect secrets that aren't mine.
Naruto: Well get on with it.
Ranger: Okay hold your horses. There is a war in the land. A war between the Varden and the Empire. But they're battles aren't to control this land or its people. It's to control the newest generation of Riders. Of whom you are the first.
Naruto: But you said nobody knew wheather or not the are still dragons in the land.
Ranger: I lied about that. There are actually three dragon eggs still around which Xemnas salvaged from his last battle with the riders. Well techincally two, since Cortana hatched for you. About twenty five years ago i was alot younger than I am now but not as wise. I meet David who claimed to have found a secret passage into Xemnas's castle. At the time I hated the Empire and wanted to hurt it any way I could. Excited a brought he and his friends to the Varden, who are my friends.
Naruto's eyes widened. He pulled out a bag of popcorn for the story.
Ranger: They arranged to have the eggs stolen. However our theif screwed up in two ways. First he only got one egg. Two he didn't bring the one egg he got back to us. The varden sent David, myself, and a select group of companions to hunt it down. That was start of one of the greatest searches in history. We raced against the echoplasmares and Minato last of the forsworn.
Naruto: Minato? But he was the one who betrayed the riders to Xemnas! He must have been an old gezzer.
Ranger nodded.
Ranger: Old but strong. As there had been bad blood between us before, hunt for the egg became a personal battle. Finally it came down to a furious battle in gilead. I won my fight with Minato, and escaped with the egg, though I had to leave without my freinds. I'm amazed they made it out alive what with all the soldiers present. After that I fled north to carvahall to hide until I was called onto help them. I was never summoned.
Naruto: So how did Cortana's egg show up in the spine?
Ranger: I suspect that something happened to the eggs currier was ambushed and in panic tried to send the egg to me... and missed by several miles. I suppose that the Varden attempted to send a message to me but the runner was intercepted and the echoplasmares must have been sent in my place.
He nodded to Naruto.
Ranger: I guess I kinda have to thank you.
Naruto: Why?
Ranger: The echoplasmares were probably going after me. If that SOB Barken had kept his trap shut they might not have ever even heard of you. I am in your debt.
Naruto: So my uncle got killed because Barken snitched?
Ranger: Bingo. Though if he hadn't I'd probably be dead or captured. They probably wanted to take me alive and interogate me.
Naruto: So why don't you take me to the Varden?
Ranger: Are you nuts? They're a mix of cutthroats, revolutionaries, anarchists, warmongers, and power hungery backstabbers. And they're allies might be even less freindly towards you being a rider. There are some greivances that have yet to pass on. Besides being on the road keeps you happy enough not to be a cranky asshole. And there are more than enough of the those in the Varden. Take it from me kid, poltics suck.
Naruto: And whats the Agoki?
Ranger: It's just the first stage in your training. Its an old word but it normally implied with early age intense training. Comes from a people called the spartans, I'll tell you about them some other time. Also I have one last reason for not taking you to the Varden. There are two nuts in particular I don't think you'll be to fond of meeting. Ones a vampire the others a necromancer.
Naruto: Wait, you have friends who are vampires and necromancers?
Ranger shrugged.
Ranger: You get what you can get. They can be fun to hang it with for short periods of time but eventually they can start to drive you nuts. Partially because they are both near insane, though one of them might be insane.
Naruto: So whats about that crazy thing with the two people who hate eachother and have a kid who looks like a sanghelli?
Ranger rubbed the back of his head.
Ranger: Man were you listening in on the whole conversation?
Naruto: Most of it.
Ranger cursed.
Ranger: Well its a long story that probably deserves another time to tell.
Naruto: Okay.
Naruto quickly relayed all the information to Cortana. She was intrgued by what had been said but blanched at the idea of having been one Xemnas's posseions. When he was finished she decided to try and make a little joke.
Cortana: Aren't you glad you left carvahall? Thing of all the half assed crap you wouldn't have to worry about.
Naruto groaned in mock distress.
Naruto: I got one for you. Knock knock.
Cortana: Who's there?
Naruto: Interuptting cow.
Cortana: Inerupting cow...
Naruto: MOO!
Naruto burst out laughing, that is until Cortana swooped down and covered him in soot. Ranger shook his head.
Ranger: Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
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That night as Ranger prepared dinner Naruto decided to look for water. He sat silently next to the campfire listening for a trickle. When he finally did he dove into the trees in search of the source of the noise.
It was a small stream. He gave it a quick taste, it was fresh. Taking another sip he rose to his feet. Then he noticed a strange print on the oppisite side of the stream. Curious he tried to jump the stream. Biggest mistake yet.
His foot slipped on a wet stone! He flew forward and threw out his right hand to stop his fall! He hit the ground and cried out in agony as he heard bone cracking! Mind numbing pain surged threw him! Cortana instantly contacted him!
Cortana: What happened?
Naruto: Did something stupid, fell, broke my wrist.
Cortana: I'm coming!
Naruto: No! Tree's to close for wings.
Cortana sent him a quick mental image of herself crashing through the trees towards him.
Cortana: Hurry!
Naruto glanced at the foot print and instantly recognized the hoof like mark. It was the same as at Yazuac. Sanghelli were in the area.
Naruto: Cortana! We've got sanghelli near by! Keep Ranger safe! I'm coming back!
Yanking out his knife with his left hand he rushed through the trees eyes sharp and ears alert for any sanghelli soldiers. He rushed into the clearing where the camp was and threw out his one good hand to stop Cortana from riping him apart!
Naruto: Stop its me!
Cortana: Oh sorry.
Naruto: Sorry? You nearly took my head off. Where's Ranger?
Ranger: I'm right here!
Ranger's voice was muffled behind Cortana's wings. Naruto almost burst out laughing.
Ranger: Get your crazy to Dragon to stop it! She won't llisten to me!
Naruto: Let him go. Didn't you tell him?
Cortana: No.
Naruto: Why the hell not? And don't say...
Cortana: Because you never asked.
Naruto: God damnit.
Cortana removed her wings and Ranger stomped out looking rather pissed off.
Naruto: I found a sanghelli foot print and it's fresh!
Ranger's face grew stern.
Ranger: Saddle the ponyta's were getting the hell out of here.
Ranger rushed over to Demonwing and began a fixing the saddle while stamping out the camp fire. Then he noticed Naruto hadn't moved.
Ranger: What the hell are you doing?
Naruto: I broke my wrist.
Ranger cursed several times while attaching Naruto's saddle to Al before heling Naruto into the saddle.
Ranger: We'll have to put a splint on your arm but right now we need to get the hell out of dodge.
Naruto raised an eyebrow at the expression, but before he could say anything Ranger kicked Al in the behind and the Ponyta surged forward! Ranger rode up alongside him yaking out his short sword eyes glaring into the darkness with a feirce light!
Ranger: Tell Cortana to get airborne and follow us from the air!
They rode, and or, flew for almost an hour none stop before Ranger raised his arm up.
Ranger: Listen.
Naruto strained his hearing. Then he heard it in the distance. A hunting horn of some sort. But judging from the sound, the sanghellis were still a good distance away. Naruto gave a sigh of relief relaxing his shoulders.
Naruto: I think we lost them.
Suddenly there came a second horn blast! This one less than half a mile away! Ranger glared at him.
Ranger: You just had to jinx it. Tell Cortana to land and ride her.
Naruto: But what about you?
Ranger: I'll be fine! GO!
Naruto had no sooner sent the summons then he could hear hoof beats! Cortana landed in a second! Naruto leapt into her saddle!
Ranger: Go!
Cortana took off without any urging! Naruto watched as Ranger rode on! Now from the air he could see the sanghelli, twelve of them. Eleven wore the standard blue armor while one wore a bloody crimson red. Naruto could only watch as they began to gain on Ranger! They rode on ponyta's of they're own and were well armed!
There was no way in hell Ranger could fight them all! Ranger put on speed trying out run them but the sanghelli were still gaining! Naruto knew that he had to do something.
Naruto: Land Cortana!
Cortana: What?
Naruto: Land in front of the sanghelli!
Cortana: Are you crazy!?
Naruto: Either we do something or Ranger's done for! Come on!
Cortana dove towards the ground and landed in the path right in front of them! Cortana roared! The ponyta's paniced and tried to bolt but they're riders kept them in check! The crimson sanghelli rode forward, he spoke in gutteral common speech.
Sanghelli 1: Our master wishes to speak with you human!
Cortana: It's a trap don't listen to him.
Naruto: Let's at least get some information.
He rose up in Cortana's saddle to his full height.
Naruto: Who is your master?
The sanghelli sneared. His four mandibles clicking together.
Sanghelli 1: His name is of no concern to one as low as you! He rules the sky and holds dominace over the earth! You are nothing more than an ant before him but he has decreed that you shall bbe brought before him! Take heart that you have become worthy of such notice!
Naruto was seriously confused now. Was there a third power in the land apart from the empire and the Varden.
Naruto: I'll never join you or any of my enimies, whether you serve Shade, Sanghelli, or some other twisted feind I don't want to have a chit chat with him!
The sanghelli ground his teeth.
Sanghelli: That is a grave mistake! You cannot hope to escape him forever! Eventually you will stand before him! If you resist you will suffer greatly!
Naruto: Go back and tell him fangirls can corpse hump him for his entire life for all I care!
The sanghelli yanked out one of their strange pronged swords!
Sanghelli: Well drag you to him then!
The sanghelli charged forward but Naruto went for his magic before they got within weapo.
Naruto: Jerda!
Cortana: What? NO!
Suddenly the sanghelli were sent flying off they're ponyta's! They crashed into the trees and the ponyta's bolted! Then Naruto felt the really nasty side effect. The power required to lift , throw, and knock out twelve seven foot tall sanghelli was enormus! Naruto collapsed out of the saddle fearing the force of the magic might have been to much.
Weakly he watched as a sanghelli got to his feet raising an axe. He ran at Cortana!
Naruto: No.
Suddenly Cortana whirled about! Dark purple blood spraying into the air as she riped the sanghelli in half! Then she hobbled over to Naruto, bent down and lifted him up in her claws. Naruto could hear Ranger shouting and then he blacked out.
Ranger24: Naruto you are a complete and total idiot! Oh wait he's out cold. Great. Now I have to wait until next chapter to yell at him until he wets his pants! Read and review.
Also the art contest closes at midnight on june 6th. If your still working on ideas I have some suggestions.
1. Naruto trying to do the tree climb while me and Cortana have a staring contest.
2. Naruto hanging on for dear life as Cortana takes him up into the mountains.
3. Naruto staring down the sanghelli at yazuca.
4. Me and Naruto sparing.
5. Cortana just out of the egg.
6. Myself, Naruto, and David sneaking into the castle at Teirm.
7. Me and everyone else listening to me tell the tale of the riders fall.
8. Naruto armor testing. (That would have to be a comic strip style thing I think.)
9. The much older version of me.
10. Chibi and Xibchi telling Naruto's future with the dragon bones.
You can also use anyother ideas or scenes from the story but these are would really like to see.