The sands of the desert blew fiercely during their confrontation with Scorpio, but somehow it felt a mystery as it died down when they defeated the beast. The raging winds left little sand in Claire's mouth. As she regained consciousness, the immediately spat it out and then opening her eyes to see for her to see Adrian's happy grin to see her awake. "That's my girl! Spit all the crap that anything gives you." He said, patting her on the back.
"Is she okay? Claire, speak to us. Please tell us that you're okay!" Lucy said, rushing towards Claire. "I'm okay Lucy," the little girl said in a weary tone. Lucy then rushed around, twirling around and tripping herself with her shoes. "Don't worry, I'm okay!" she said clumsily. "We should take her inside the bus immediately, she sounds tired." Andre exclaimed. "We shouldn't leave her out here with these harsh conditions!"
"Just as soon as she gets Scorpio's power in the Astral Amulet, may she rest in the bus." Lisa said unsympathetically.
"What? Lisa how could you say that! She's been working very hard, she's worn out and she needs to rest!" Lucy yelled.
Lisa scoffed, "Lucy, are you telling me this journey was only meant for her to be resting all the time? We are here to capture the Astral Beasts and keep them contained in the amulet so they don't wreck havoc upon the world. This is dangerous and if Claire…" she paused, attempting to calm down from her angry tone. "If Claire makes a habit of being such a burden present in our journey then many are going to get killed, by her own apathetic expense!"
Lucy
stamped her feet and clenched her fists in fury. "But we can't
treat her like this! She's just a young girl."
Adrian stood up
from crouching down to hold Claire. "This has nothing to do with
the people does it?" Adrian said quietly, however Lisa took notice
on what was said. "Adrian, enough with your petty nonsense."
"Me
petty? You should take a look at yourself in the mirror, there's
real pettiness in you. Every little concern that you say you have for
the 'world' is all just a bunch of lies. You just want Claire to
suffer don't you? Well I'm not going to make her suffer, just for
your expense. Just because you feel the need to watch others in
suffering to make yourself feel better about your loss."
"That
isn't even remotely true. Keep your mouth shut if rubbish like that
is all you have to claim!" Lisa then stood back and waited beside
the road, walking away from the group.
"Now don't you dare walk away from me Lisa, you have an evil heart. You aren't the Lisa I knew before."
Lisa shook her head and raised her spectacles. "I suppose you thought you knew me, but every single time you've painted me the wrong way." She turned herself to face the group and started pointing at Adrian in particular. "You! You're the problem. It's just all about you isn't it? You weren't there on her final days of succumbing to the curse that the blasted sorceress put on her. You wouldn't understand how it felt to lose someone that you loved. Someone so close to you."
Lucy was aggravated at the remark. "So you just want Claire here to die to make Adrian suffer? What kind of cold-hearted bitch are you?"
"Lucy don't you get yourself into this! This is problem is mine and Adrian's!"
"It isn't anybody's apart from your own. I'm sick and tired of this Lisa, sick and tired of your immaturity. Adrian doesn't only think it's about himself. It's just about you Lisa, you not being able to cope with Diane's death. I found it hard to cope. Everybody did. It was all so sudden nobody could believe it. Diane was a pioneering soul; she soldiered on even though her body deteriorating from the curse that came with the fate bounded power. But she wouldn't want you to act like this. She genuinely cared for the world, that's why she dismissed her own needs for the world and died a happy woman knowing that even through all the obstacles… She did what she thought was right."
Lisa breathed heavily realizing Lucy's compassionate elegy towards her sister who had passed away for so long. Though she could not accept being defeated, but experienced a trouble to speak. "You'd… You would never understand the pain of my position. Loss is such a hard obstacle to overcome."
Lucy raised her hand to the air, eventually slipping on a rock. "Ugh" she grunted, though she pursued to carry on, despite ruining her dignity. "Don't you dare ever accused of me or anybody else of not 'losing' anything! You wouldn't even know! Everybody has fallen on hard times, but we eventually pick ourselves up." Lucy then looked over to Claire and Adrian. "So would you mind cutting Claire and Adrian some slack? You've been tough on them and this journey has been tough on all of us. We need to be positive! We're saving the world not because to prove something, but because it really needs our help and needs to be saved."
Andre then started to applaud Lucy, wiping tears off his eyes. "That woman has class!" he yelled out. May descending from the sky landed towards Andre and kicked him in the shin. "You ruined that moment you idiot! But I have to admit, it's the first time I've seen Lucy be so… Emotionally involved rather than her ditzy and clumsy self."
"Somebody's got to tell her to buy new shoes for whenever she's going to pull one of those speeches. I mean did you see that fall?" Andre stated.
"Not me!" May and Adrian yelled out. Lucy then giggled to herself. "Well come on guys, let's look out for the bus. Socrates and Shawn should be returning with the bus soon!"
Andre and May followed her, "Wait for my Lucy!" they both yelled out.
"So you might be needing that rest…" Lisa said, refusing to speak caringly towards Adrian and Claire. She spoke in a cold tone that was easily noticed. Claire looked towards Scorpio's large carcass and then looked at her amulet. She then got herself up and activated it into the wand. "I can handle it, don't worry."
She then walked towards the remains and started to chant the containing incantation, which was written by her to implore thinking it would add an extra effect.
Lisa then put one arm forward gesturing for her to come back. "No you don't have to…" she said with slight concern. Adrian followed Claire, passing Lisa with a glare. He then stopped only to say something. "Finally having a sense of heart? Don't worry, she's not missing out because of your self-centredness."
He then caught up to Claire, smiling towards her. "You really do have such a strong heart." He thought to himself, about Claire. "You ready for this?" he said. "Of course I am!" she cheerfully said, conforming to the dynamic that was given to her by her guardian.
"Scorpio, the death scorpion of the deserts. Let your hidden art of ambush be an aid towards our journey… Give us--"
"Wait! Wait!" Lucy came rushing towards them. "I forgot I needed to do something!" Lucy then grabbed hold onto something that was in her pockets. "You big stunning scorpion! Say cheese!" A large white flash then appeared, and appeared 3 more times blinding Claire and Adrian in those instances. "A camera? You think these Astral Beast pictures will do for souvenirs?" Adrian said in distress.
"Never you mind what I do with them! Okay Claire, it's time for you to do your work! I'll record it with this camera and we can all watch it over from the bus okay?"
Claire shrieked in fear. "Okay… ahem. Scorpio, the death scorpion of the deserts, let your hidden art of ambush be an aid towards our journey… Please lend me your power! Scorpio… Contain!"
The large scorpion then turned into a large sphere of white light, the wand syphoning its force. Claire redeemed herself, staying absolutely calm and constantly taking hold of the wand with valour and strength. "That's beautiful…" Lucy said in awe. "It is… It really is." Adrian said, replying to her comment. Strong winds gusted and the desert was swept with a strong cool breeze, despite the sun radiating down upon them.
"Wow, that's cool" Andre said, watching from afar. May was dazzled and yet confused by Andre's comment. "In what way?"
"What do you mean what way?" May then laughed to herself. "Never mind."
Lisa stared into the distance. "I've seen it all before…" she peered standing in the middle of the road watching for the tour bus to return. "At last, they have come!" she said, seeing the bus.
Claire then felt proud of herself, for being able to receive and contain the power of Scorpio in the astral wand. A dark blue aura surrounded her this time, cooling her from the heat of the desert. Yet this time, she didn't show her pride. She remained cool and collected, yet was unable to restrain herself for a smile. "That's my girl! I'm so proud of you." Adrian said, collecting her and kissing her on the forehead. He cuddled her in happiness and joy, yet Claire than noticed remnants of the dark shadows that possessed him before when he stared into his eyes. "What's wrong Claire?"
She shrugged her shoulders and wiped off the thought. "Nothing, absolutely everything is fine."
"Of course it is. It's all because of you!"
Flashbacks in Claire's memory started to appear. The mirror, the dark room and then Adrian's corpse appeared in flashes.
"The bus is here!" May yelled out, waving towards the three.
"Finally, Socrates has come to his senses!" Adrian said in delight of the events.
The bus doors opened, a sense of relief was wavering in the air for the travellers. "All aboard to the city of Austin, Texas?" Shawn said, with a welcoming smile.
"Finally,
we were waiting out here for ages with our skins practically
barbequed from the sun!" Andre complained. May kicked him in the
shins again. "Come on, be a man!"
"Well the bus is fully
air-conditioned so let's set make this long bus trip a good one!"
Mark then appeared with Lisa from the distance, apparently wounded. "What's up with him?" May asked.
"He grew a little weary from our little challenge, but don't worry he isn't infected with poison. He'll be alright!" Andre said proudly. "You have to think, for a little boy he held his own pretty well against those scorpions."
As the last two reached the bus, the burden of the journey was finally lifted by much needed air-conditioner.
Claire then took a seat, resting her eyes tired from the containing process. But Lucy intersected and sat beside her. Staring at her up-close. "Please Lucy, you are probably going to scare her by doing that." Socrates said, with a complaint in his voice.
"I don't see why you should be instructing, besides why didn't you come any earlier. It was real hot outside!"
Socrates
grunted and refused to reply back. "Exactly!" Lucy said, giggling
to herself. "Anyways, it's a bit strange to ask you… But what
were you dreaming about when you fell unconscious?"
Claire
looked to herself, her memories of the dream scattered and flashing
constantly in her head. Echoes of the cries heard and the tormenting
voice that had been her own was still present in her mind.
"Why?"
Lucy laughed. "Oh it's nothing. But on a serious note, you were saying a lot of no's in your dream. We heard you shouting no constantly and I was just a teeny-bit concerned!"
"It wasn't anything. Actually I haven't even noticed anything about that at all!"
"Okay… I was just curious! That's all" she said in a light-hearted tone, though inside she knew that something was wrong.
"So we're heading back to Austin, Texas? What are your plans to do now Shawn?" Adrian asked.
"Oh I don't want to say, it's a little boring compared to your journey battling out Astrological beasts that have come alive!"
Adrian then looked towards Socrates, grinning while trying to have a serious face. "Don't worry, he told me about it."
"Anyways what I was planning to do was contact the people of closest to those that died on the crash and give them consolation towards their loved ones. I'm going to do my best doing good for others like you people are doing for the world." Adrian grinned. "Well good luck then! Wish you all the best."
"You too!"
Many days passed until they finally had to part their ways saying goodbye. As soon as the bus doors were about to close from Socrates, now being in charge of the bus, Lucy gestured for him to stop and called out to Shawn. "Shawn! Shawn! I just wanted you to have this." Lucy handed over photographs of the large scorpion towards her. "But… How did you get this? And why? It must have been dangerous!"
Lucy shook her head and grinned. "I'm sick and tired of everyone ridiculing you. With this photographs there is evidence and it might help you on your journey to give closure to those people related to those that died on the crash."
Shawn looked in awe at Lucy, eventually hugging her with tears down her eyes. "Thank you Lucy, I'm glad that there are people in this world that believe in me and are willing to listen."
"Don't worry, there are always people willing to listen. You just need to raise your voice and be noticed and never doubt yourself!" Lucy cheered.
Lucy then approached Angela and smiled. "And I can see a bright future ahead of you too!"
Angela then smiled, accidentally letting go of her balloon. The little girl then watched it fly high into the sky higher than the skyscrapers. "Oh no, she loves that balloon! I'm sorry, I really am!"
The little girl then started to cry, Lucy looked to the bus gesturing for Adrian to help her out. Adrian came running out of the bus and crouching down to reach for something in his pocket. "What's this Angela, look to wear the coin is going!" he then handed the coin to her mother, Angela being mesmerized couldn't take her view from the coin.
Adrian
then quickly blew out a balloon and tied the bottom piece up. Then
gesturing towards Lucy to give him a piece of string. Lucy scrounged
through her pockets, struggling until she found one. Adrian then tied
and knotted the string up with the balloon. "Look here now
Angela"
The little girl then looked towards the man, holding a
red balloon like the one she accidentally lost by letting go. Adrian
then lent it to the little girl, excited for her balloon. As soon as
she touched the string, the balloon changed from red to yellow like
magic.
"Hope
you like it Angela." He said, charming her with his smile. He
lightly tapped her nose with the index finger. "Magic does exist,
but don't tell anyone." He then got up and shook hands with
Shawn, "I guess this is our goodbye then."
"It's never
like in the movies. I expected the heart-tugging strings to be heard
by now."
"We could always stay for one more day in the Austin Music Festival." Lucy gestured. Shawn laughed, "You've got to save the world Lucy, remember that!"
"Oh… That's right." Lucy looked in disappointment.
Shawn and Angela departed the two, contented and smiling. "Thank you." Angela said when she and her mother left the travelling ensemble. She never let go of the balloon and held onto it tighter than the previous one.
"They were such a nice bunch of people. I'm really proud of Shawn." Lucy said content and skipping towards the bus. "Yeah… they were really great people." Adrian muttered to himself. Claire smiled upon her guardian. His kindness and thoughtfulness made her happy and proud. She ran towards him as he boarded the bus and gently hugged him. "I'm proud of what you did back there…" she kept to herself. "Wow what's all of this about?"
"Nothing…" she said cheekily.
Lisa went towards Socrates, who was driving the bus. "So we are planning to keep this tour bus?"
"Yeah
of course, saves travelling expenses for the airplane."
"You
won me with that." Lisa joked.
"One question though, we are we heading?" Socrates asked. He looked to Lisa to find an answer. She shrugged her shoulders. Socrates panicked and looked towards the others. The rest shrugging their shoulders with not a clue on where to go, he then gave up. "Lisa, you have those weird artefacts, are you sure you have not a clue?"
"No… I should have prepared before hand. It just seemed natural to know the whereabouts of Aries and Scorpio… the other astral plaques are vague."
Claire jumped off from her seat. "Lets go to Mexico."
"Mexico?"
everybody thought. "In a dream, I dreamed about us going to Mexico.
Apparently a rather large bull could be found there."
"A large
bull… Taurus?" Lisa wondered.
"Right! And I think it's in Mexico."
"Well any objections to destination Mexico?" Socrates announced. A brief silence fell upon the group. "Mexico it is!"
They were making their way into foreign territory and the new road they were taking was only a hunch, but Claire seemed confident that something was indeed there.