You know what? No internet sucks and I felt like I had nothing else to do but sleep. It was torture and plus I had a bad day when I started writing this. Sigh. Anyway, just read on.
"Poor Shu." Kluke said as they watched Shu walk with them in a very depressed state. The fire in his eyes was now downgraded to a small and quiet candlelight. His shoulders were slumped and he didn't even say a single word since they started walking.
"I've never seen him like this before." Bouquet said and Rikaru sighed. He played a part in Homeron's death and Shu's current behavior was starting to get to him. He had to think of something to snap Shu out of it.
"How about we take a short vacation." Rikaru suggested and everyone looked at him.
"You can't be serious." Jiro said and Rikaru nodded.
"I think we should do that." Zola said and the others looked at her shocked. "If Shu's not in his right mind then our chances of winning against Nene are reduced."
"That's true maro." Marumaro said.
"Yay! A vacation!" Bouquet shouted.
"Well Rikaru, what do you have in mind?" Zola asked.
"How about we spend it in my village." Rikaru said.
"Isn't your village in that very dangerous desert?" Kluke asked.
"Well it's not like we don't have measures to protect the city and the villagers. I suggested it because of the many activities we have." Rikaru said. "As for the view, you'll just have to see it for yourselves."
"Sounds good to me." Marumaro said.
"I'm in." Jiro said and everyone looked at Shu.
"Yeah sure." Shu said with a depressed tone and they sighed.
"Well Rikaru, lead us to your village." Zola said.
"We're gonna need a ship." Rikaru said.
Later...
"Werewolf!" A soldier shouted as Rikaru roared at the small group of soldiers in his werewolf form. The others jumped in the ship and waited for Rikaru to change back. He moved out from behind a couple boulders after putting his clothes on and jumped in the ship. Kluke took off and Rikaru guided her to his village. They entered the vast desert and everyone looked around.
"It feels creepy for some reason maro." Marumaro said.
"That's because there aren't any signs of life for miles." Jiro said.
"Yeah but it shouldn't feel this creepy." Bouquet said.
"What you're feeling is the aura of death." Rikaru said.
"A-Aura of d-death?" Marumaro asked shaking a little.
"Yeah. SandSkull desert has claimed the lives of hundreds of people who have carelessly wondered into it."
"What about the Marauders?" Jiro asked.
"They don't have any flying vehicles so we're mostly safe from them." Everyone looked at Rikaru.
"What do you mean mostly?" Bouquet and Marumaro asked at the same time.
"Well, they have catapults and if they see us then they'll shoot flaming rocks at us but other than that we're fine."
"However, we need to get to Desert-Moon village before a sandstorm comes." Zola said.
"How far do we have left to go Kluke?" Jiro asked.
"Not very far. About eight more miles." Rikaru sniffed the air.
"I suggest we fly faster because a sand storm is coming." Rikaru said and everyone saw the wind start to pick up.
"Fly faster Kluke!" Marumaro shouted and the ship sped up. The wind started to get stronger and sand started flying around rapidly.
"There." Rikaru said pointing to a large solid steel wall formed into a circle. There were steel doors built into one part of the wall and Kluke started flying lower towards them.
"The sandstorm is starting to get stronger." Jiro said and Rikaru pulled out a small blue device. He pressed the button and the steel doors opened. Kluke flew inside and the doors closed.
"That was close maro." Marumaro said.
"Yeah...close." Shu said and the others shook their heads.
"Don't worry my beloved, I'll make sure that this vacation will cheer you up." Bouquet said as Kluke landed the ship and they saw several vehicles that they've never seen before.
"What are these?" Marumaro said.
"These are vehicles that the king's desert warriors use to travel through the desert. They're used to complete errands that we have to go outside the village to complete or to take care of some marauders that are causing trouble." Rikaru said.
"Are you one of the king's desert warriors?" Kluke asked and Rikaru nodded. Another set of thick solid steel doors opened and they all stepped through. Everyone except Rikaru looked around in awe at the tall buildings, open air markets, villagers riding around on raptor-like animals, and the fact that it was cooler in the village than outside.
"How is it cooler in here than out in the desert?" Jiro asked.
"There's an invisible shield that covers the top half of the village. It protects the village from sandstorms and keeps most of the desert heat outside." Rikaru pointed to his right. "If you keep walking that way, you'll see a lake."
"Really?" Bouquet shouted and ran towards the direction where Rikaru pointed with Marumaro following.
"Make sure they don't cause any trouble." Zola said.
"Alright." Jiro said walking to the lake with Kluke following him while dragging Shu.
"You'll have to meet the king sooner or later." Rikaru said.
"Hope he doesn't mind us seeing the lake first." Zola said.
"I'll arrange a meeting for you." Rikaru said and he started walking in the direction towards the palace.
"Welcome back Rikaru." the palace guards said and Rikaru nodded in acknowledgement. He proceeded through the hallway and walked into the throne room. There were vines along the walls and ceiling, small trees, a couple ponds and fountains in the throne room. There was a man with red hair and a beard wearing a sleeveless navy blue shirt, forest green cargo pants and brown sandals. He was wearing a gold crown with a wolf paw in the middle. He was looking outside and turned around to face Rikaru.
"It's been a while Rikaru." the king said and Rikaru kneeled before him.
"It has indeed King Xavier." Rikaru said and he stood up.
"Has Nene stopped giving you missions? Or are you here because of one?" Rikaru sighed.
"Sort of. I brought a group of human shadow wielders here for a small vacation. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all. They must be trustworthy if you're the one bringing them here." Xavier walked to his throne and sat down. "Where are they?"
"They're at the lake." Xavier sensed something wrong and cleared his throat.
"Is there something you're not telling me Rikaru?" Rikaru looked uncomfortable.
"My mission is to take these rebel shadow wielders to Lord Nene so they can be executed." Xavier closed his eyes and thought for a moment.
"You sound a bit unhappy about that." Rikaru looked at him and Xavier opened his eyes with a smirk on his face.
"You're joking right?" Xavier chuckled.
"Unfortunately for you, no I'm not joking." Rikaru growled slightly. "Who are these shadow wielders?"
"Three boys named Shu, Jiro and a devee named Marumaro. Two girls named Kluke, Bouquet and a woman named Zola." Xavier raised an eyebrow.
"So the legendary Zola is among them. Those children are very fortunate and I believe you are as well." Rikaru narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean by that?" Xavier's smirk grew wider.
"I mean that you're very fortunate to have found your future mate." Rikaru looked at Xavier shocked while blushing and the king started laughing.
"I-I'm waiting for you to say 'just kidding'."
"Sorry, I'm not kidding about that." Rikaru sighed in annoyance.
"Why in the hell do you think Zola is my future mate?" Xavier chuckled.
"I'm an old werewolf so I can tell these things about you young ones before you can. You may not realize it now but you're starting to grow fond of her."
"She's a human and my enemy."
"So?" Rikaru was silent after that.
"Don't worry, you'll understand the longer you remain around her." Xavier decided to change the subject. "You need to stop working for Nene."
"What?"
"You heard me Rikaru. Stop working for Nene." Rikaru was starting to get irritated and he growled.
"That's not something I can do."
"Can? Or won't?"
"Forgive my disobedience but I won't." Xavier frowned and rested his head in his left hand.
"You know Nene's goal right?" Rikaru nodded.
"Yes, to rule the world and destroy all opposition."
"Does that really sound appealing to you? To be ruled over by a tyrannical old geezer who will treat everyone like slaves. To a werewolf, being treated as a slave is an unforgivable insult."
"He's my adopted father-" Xavier interrupted him.
"Since when does a parent treat their child, adopted or not, like a mindless servant?" Rikaru clenched his fists. "Your werewolf instincts despise being a servant to anyone."
"Aren't we all servants to you?" Xavier glared at him.
"You all are my friends and comrades and I treat you as such. If I treated you as nothing more than a servant then I would've backhanded you towards the wall for your disrespect." Xavier growling and showing his fangs.
"My apologies. I meant no disrespect." Xavier sheathed his fangs. "I know the kind of person Lord Nene is and I shall remain loyal to him regardless."
"Let me ask you this then. Nene will try to find this place eventually so when that happens, who's side will you be on?" Rikaru froze. "I'm sure you don't want to be considered a traitor to this village and all werewolf kind. So, what will you do?"
"..." Xavier narrowed his eyes and sighed.
"You're already playing the part of the traitor to that group of shadow wielders you brought here with you. Why would this be any different?" Rikaru was about to say something until Xavier raised his hand to silence him. "They may not be werewolves but killing them goes against what you believe in. You'll betray yourself by killing them and once that happens, you'll basically become a mindless murderer with no hint of remorse and that's not who you are."
"How do you know?" Xavier chuckled.
"I've known you for about sixteen years. That's more than enough time to fully know someone." Rikaru looked away. "You've sacrificed so much already for Nene and his cause, will you sacrifice your own heart and pride as a werewolf for him as well?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Xavier shook his head.
"Not now. I just want you to think about it. If you return with the death of Nene or the deaths of those shadow wielders on your shoulders then I'll know your answer."
"What if I don't return at all?"
"Then either you were killed by Nene or those shadow wielders and your death will be honorable or unworthy of even being mentioned. You may leave and tell those shadow wielders that I'll meet with them tomorrow afternoon."
"Yes you majesty." Rikaru left the throne room and exited the palace. He was surprised to see Zola waiting for him. She was casually leaning against the palace wall with her arms folded.
"So, when does he want to see us?" Zola asked.
"Tomorrow afternoon." Rikaru said and he took a couple minutes to look at her. Was King Xavier right or did he just say that to mess with him? Rikaru shook his head and followed Zola to the hotel. 'Things are getting much too complicated.'
Elsewhere...
"Which village should we attack next my lord?" Szabo asked and Nene thought for a moment.
"How about...Desert-Moon Village?" the robot looked at him shocked.
"B-But sir, that's a village full of werewolves and it resides in SandSkull desert. Not only is that place vast but it's dangerous for even our ships to go there. Besides, the sandstorms are strong and hide that village so we can't find it." a soldier walked in and saluted.
"Sir, the cargo has arrived." Nene smirked.
"Cargo my lord?" Szabo asked confused.
"The cargo of silver bullets we've been given by our generous supporter." Nene said.
"Supporter! Supporter!" Deathroy mimicked and another soldier walked in.
"Sir, we've found the location of Desert-Moon Village." a screen popped up and revealed a blinking red dot on a map of SandSkull Desert.
"We should thank Rikaru for this great discovery." Nene said and his evil smirk grew wider.
Whew okay done! I'm gonna sleep now so Read and Review!