(A/N All right, so last time, I said the next chapter would be uploaded on Friday. Well, as it turns out, I ended up being pretty busy last week and simply didn't have the time. As such, I'm uploading this chapter now to make up for it. I'll be back on schedule next chapter.)
Disclaimer: So, like... Neopets isn't mine. In case you haven't noticed.
Defenders of Neopia 2: Brotherhood Chapter 2: Departure.
Jeffory hadn't been in an extremely good mood today. And it had just gotten worse. He had no desire to go see the Commander. In fact, he'd rather sit through another loud, and generally weird class of Mr. Demente's. And that's saying something. The thought of visiting Larx filled him with frustration, and that made him grumble to himself. Having students give him weird looks as he did so did nothing to improve his now-foul mood.
He thought back to his first encounter with Larx and he shook his head, not enjoying the memory in the slightest. It had only been a couple of months after the events at the Space Station, and Sam's death had been very fresh on his mind. Well, fresher than it was now, that is. He hadn't seen Jack and Hunter at all that day. It had been a Saturday, and when he had woken up, his two friends were nowhere to be seen. When he located them on the third floor hallway, they were wielding two, large paintball guns.
They were covered from head-to-toe in paint and Jack offered a much smaller gun to Jeffory, wearing a mischevious grin. Clearly, he didn't care that they were once again breaking school rules. Jeffory, being the level-headed youth that he was, did the only thing someone like him would do in this situation. He took the gun.
Needless to say, they had gotten into trouble. Hunter, while in pursuit of Jack, had shot Coach Qwii right in the face. Also needless to say, he was ticked. Wiping the red paint off his face, he had sent Jeffory (who he, for some reason, believed was behind the whole thing) to Commander Larx's office. Jack and Hunter did what any best friends would do. They sent him on his way with sheepish grins.
When he had arrived at the Commander's office for the first time, he had overrheard Larx talking to... somebody over the phone. He had cursed Grey's name very loudly. And, to make Jeffory's already-growing dislike for him even worse, he threatened to have him and his team expelled for their "blatant disregard for the rules".
Jeffory shook his head. Sure, they had broken the rules, but he felt Larx had been simply too dramatic about the whole deal. And that made him dislike the Commander even more.
He sighed as he stood in front of Larx's office.
He reached out and knocked on the door, composing his his growing temper. After a few, long moments, Larx's self-important voice called out: "Enter." Jeffory rolled his eyes and opened the door. He attempted to screw the sour look on his face into one of pleasentry
Because constipation is sure to make people like you.
"Knights," Larx greeted flatly. Jeffory noticed, with irritation, he didn't even take his eyes off of the large trophy sitting on his desk.
"Larx," Jeffory responded, the tone of his voice lacking the sort of respect the oh-so grand Commander demanded. Jeffory hoped Larx was so consumed in his trophy that he wouldn't notice Jeffory's admittedly bad attitude. He wasn't. Larx's absent expression turned to one of extreme dislike as he slowly left his chair, stalking over to the helpless kyrii. "When you adress me, you will only adress me as 'Sir' or 'Commander', am I clear?" he hissed in Jeffory's face.
Jeffory wiped the Commander's glorious saliva off of his face and nodded, the constipated look turning to one of contempt. "Yes, Sir," Jeffory growled, making sure to stress the title. Satisfied, Larx nodded stiffly and returned to his chair.
Jeffory remained at his position against the door, feeling his temper getting the best of him. He could've sworn he heard the Voice inside of him chuckle in pleasure.
After what felt like an eternity, Larx said: "Lately, I have been recieving reports of a large monster terrorizing the Fairy Plains. The monster's species is unknown..." Larx droned on, and Jeffory felt as if he were listening to a recording. "...Normally, we'd leave it alone, but as the Plains are generally close to the city, it is our job to eliminate it before it becomes... Bold," Larx explained, not even looking in Jeffory's direction.
"I want you to take your team and dispose of the creature. Shouldn't be too much of a problem, hmm?" Now, he was looking at Jeffory, wearing a smug expression. "The late Commander seemed... Impressed with the results of your work last year." Jeffory said nothing, and let Larx continue. "Dismissed," he said, pointing a pudgy hand at the door behind Jeffory.
Jeffory, turned to leave, but Larx called out to him. "Be prepared. Don't go dying on me, hmm?" Jeffory's grip on the doorknob tightened considerably.
"After all, it would make me look bad if I let something happen to my employees," Larx said with a cruel smile.
Jeffory said nothing and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. It took all of his willpower to not slam it.
The kyrii stood outside the office, panting heavily. He lurched forward, feeling as he were about to vomit. He brought a shaky hand to his forehead. It throbbed painfully. He realized, with a touch of fear, that the creature inside of him was responding to his anger. It was trying to take over like it had tried many times before.
His vision was beginning to fail him, and he was forced to lean on the wall as his brain felt as if it were about to explode. Finally, after a few agonizing moments, the pain subsided, as did his frustration. Taking several deep breaths, he steadied himself. "This has to stop..." he thought to himself.
Jeffory returned to the student lounge to find Jack and Hunter still rolling around. Kendra was back on the couch, trying her best to ignore the duo's antics. Jeffory walked over to her. "Hey, what happened to Larry?" he asked, admittedly curious. Kendra set her textbook aside and rolled her eyes. "He managed to escape those two and ran off, crying," she explained. Jeffory couldn't help but be amused at the mental image.
"Get any work done?" Jeffory questioned, taking a seat next to her. She shook her head, sending a glare at the two squabbling teens. They had just knocked a table over, but it didn't slow them down one bit. "Of course not. I can't even hear myself think over-" she was cut off by Hunter bellowing at Jack, "YOUR MOM!"
"-that," Kendra continued, bringing a fin to her temple. "They'll never pass this school year if they keep this up..." she grumbled.
"Larx is sending us on a new mission," he started, picking up Hunter's forgotten book from its spot on the couch and chucking it into the dust cloud. A cry of pain followed, and Jeffory was sure they could hear him now, as the dust cloud was slowly dispersing. "We're going to the Fairy Plains. We're hunting a monster that's gotten too close to the city,"
"Why do we always get the icky jobs?" Jack asked, rubbing his arm and glowering at Hunter, who was also nursing a similar wound. "Because the Commander adores us!" Hunter declared, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Jeffory grinned in response as they all gathered their things and returned to their dorms to change.
After Jeffory, Jack, and Hunter changed into more suitable clothing for the bitter cold outside, they made a beeline for Kendra's dorm. Unfortunately, her roommate, Jamie, told them she had already gone on ahead to the Hangar. Thanking her, they went on their way.
As they turned around the corner, they saw Kendra floating right next to the elevator looking bored. "There you are!" she laughed when they came walking over to her. "You three took longer than me to get ready!" she teased, a wry smile playing on her lips. Jack grinned. "Hey, gotta look good for my favorite girl," he said boldly, pulling on his red jacket's collar.
Jeffory's eyes widened at Jack's blatant flirting. Hunter, however didn't seem all that surprised.
Kendra blushed a little bit but responded, "And nobody appreciates that more than me."
"Alright, you two! Break it up; we gotta job to do!" Hunter said, getting their attention back to him.
"Uh, right!" Jack said, rubbing the back of his neck. Kendra acted similar to Jack, except she was playing with her hair. Jeffory walked past them, getting in the elevator. His friends followed him, Jack and Kendra still a little flustered.
When they exited into the hangar, the sound of Jake's booming voice reached their ears. Behind him, Jeffory heard Jack snicker. Jeffory looked to his left and saw Jake towering over a small, bespectacled kacheek.
"IF I TOLD YOU ONCE, I TOLD YOU A THOUSAND TIMES!" he bellowed at the kacheek, who was shaking like a leaf.
"B-but-" the worker stuttered in response, but was cut off by Jake, who was positively fuming. "DO NOT! UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! DROP! THAT! CARGO!" he roared, pointing at a large wooden container laying on its side next to the kacheek. In response to his boss' orders, the kacheek paled considerably and fainted.
Jake let out a low sigh. "I mighta gone too far, that time..." he muttered, leaning down and picking up the kacheek, slinging him over his shoulders.
Jeffory rolled his eyes and walked over. "Hey, Jake!" he greeted, waving at him.
Jake whirled around at the sound of the kyrii's voice, and a wide smile appeared on his face. "Hey, it's my favorite students!" he boomed. In his haste to greet them, the kacheek on his shoulder fell and landed with a dull "thump".
Jake payed this no mind, scooping Jeffory up in a crushing bear hug, and treated the other boys the same. However, he was much more gentle with Kendra, much to her relief. Once greetings were exchanged, Jake placed his hands on his hips. "Now, then, what can I do for ya?" he asked with a broad grin.
"We're here to take the ASM2. We have a mission," Jeffory explained, looking around Jake's huge frame at the kacheek who lay, forgotten on the floor behind him. "Alright!" Jake bellowed, taking Jeffory's attention off of the poor worker. "She's right over here," he told them, leading them over to the Air Ship. Kendra followed immeadiately, but the guys, however, took a little bit longer, as they were readjusting their bones.
They reached the Air Slasher Mark 2 that was located at the edge of the Hangar. Jake patted Jeffory on the shoulder, making his knees buckle. "You be careful out there, y'hear?" he said. Jeffory and the others nodded.
"C'mon! It's US, right?" said Jack, proudly. Jake chuckled. "Of course, of course," he said. "But the monster's have been real weird lately. Just be on your guard at all times!" Taking that as an order, Jack jokingly saluted. The quintet climbed into the ASM2 and strapped themselves in.
Jake's face appeared on the monitor in front of Hunter. "You all ready?" he asked them. Hunter nodded, from his position. "Affirmative," he said. "Oh, yeah!" Jack added. Jake chuckled at his enthusiasm. He disappeared from the screen for a moment and a creaking sound could be heard.
The large, metal door in front of their ship opened with a loud "hiss". The snow from outside blew into the hangar, the wind howling. Jake appeared on the screen, once again. Hunter pulled the yoke backwards, preparing for launch. "Prepare for launch, AS crew!" Hunter ordered.
"Roger!" they all responded. Hunter nodded.
Jake began counting down as the ASM2 began to rumble. "ASM2 launch in:
3!
2!
1!"
"Air Slasher, launch!" Hunter called, slamming the yoke forward, sending their ship into the grey sky.
Jake watched them go, satisfied with the launch. He tilted his head to the side, crossing his arms. He could've sworn he had been doing something important a short while ago...
The ASM2 tore through the skies, the snow falling against the windows. Jack was loudly humming along to the tune of "It's a small world", and driving Hunter up the wall.
Jeffory ignored Jack's antics, and thought about the inevitable battle. He hoped he would be ready to face whatever monster would come at them. They had taken on several missions since their return to the Academy, but they hadn't been sent on one such as this for quite some time.
Kendra seemed to be deep in thought. She kept glancing at Jack, who was completely oblivous and it was beginning to worry Jeffory. He hoped one of them would make a move before someone else came along.
He had recently noticed Kendra taking a slight interest in the arrogant techo he had met last year, Tom. He was pretty much any teenage girl's dream: Tall, dark, handsome... Lots of the female (and some male) students were into him. For some reason, it seemed they were attracted to his overhwelming arrogance, among the other "qualities". The older student was beginning to show signs of interest in the Mage, as Jeffory frequently noticed him checking her out.
Jack hadn't noticed this yet, and didn't seem think he had anything to worry about. Unfortunately for him, the students were getting older and were taking more of an interest in the opposite sex. Sadly, Jack seemed to believe that his subtle, and sometimes blatant, flirting with Kendra was enough to keep her interested. He was wrong.
The thought of relationships brought something to mind: The "Dream Girl". The prior year, Jeffory had dreamt of what he believed to be a scene from his future. He had been traveling underground with a girl who looked about his age. Jeffory had felt an attraction to her instantly. When he had told Jack and Hunter about her, they had laughed, referring to her as "The Dream Girl", much to Jeffory's annoyance. He hadn't dreamt of her since then, but he could have sworn he encountered her in person. Or someone similar, at least.
They continued flying in silence for over an hour, and Jack decided to stop humming, and do something even more annoying. "So, Jeff!" he said, out of the blue. Jeffory jumped, his train of thought crashing. "Yeah?" he asked. Jack grinned wryly. "Who are you taking to the Christmas Eve dance?"
Jeffory choked. He hadn't even thought about it. And now that he did think about it, he realized it was only five days from now. "Uhhh, well I haven't really... thought... about... it." he mumbled in response, suddenly feeling self-conscious. He was somewhat... Awkward around the opposite sex (excluding Kendra), and asking a female to a dance was simply out of the question.
Jack rolled his eyes. "In other words, you're too nervous to ask someone to go with you," he said, reading Jeffory's mind. Up in the driver's seat, Hunter snickered. "Oh, kinda like you Jack?" he asked wryly.
"Pfft!" Jack exclaimed, looking quite confident in himself. "I've got someone in mind!" he declared. Jeffory noticed that Kendra, who had been somewhat quiet throughout the flight, suddenly looked in the mycni's direction. She looked almost hopeful. "Y'know Maria Johnson, right?" Jeffory nodded slowly, stealing a glance at Kendra. "She's hot and I just may have a chance!" he continued, not noticing the crushed expression on Kendra's face.
Jack must've been trying to make Kendra jealous. Did he expect this to work, and for her to make the first move? It was obvious he was putting off asking Kendra to the dance, and it was most likely his nerves getting the best of him. Jeffory wondered if he was any good at playing Cupid...
Suddenly, the ship lurched, causing them all to jump and look outside their windows. Jeffory absent-mindely noticed they were over what he recognized as the Fairy Plains.
Hunter scanned the sky ahead with worried eyes. He was shaking and his breathing was frantic. Jeffory gulped. The last thing they needed was for their pilot's nerves to get the best of him.
The ship lurched as something slammed into it, causing it to spiral downwards.
"SHIT!" Hunter bellowed as they shot down. Fortunately, he managed to get them back on course, but the bottom of the ship grazed the ground, causing snow to fly all around and obscure Hunter's view. "Dammit!" he cursed, as the ship was once again slammed into.
"What's hitting us?!" Jeffory asked, trying in vain to see out the windows. "I dunno!" Jack said, mimicing Jeffory's actions. Kendra was trying to stay calm but was shaking. "D-do-do you think we found the monster?" she stuttered.
"Of course we found it now!" Jeffory groaned, clutching the armrests.
Hunter managed to get the ship back into the sky. At this point, the ship's alarms were going off and a computerized voiced blared, "WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!" over and over again.
At last, the attacks on the ASM2 had stopped, leaving the team quite shaken. After a moment of flying aimlessly, Jack spoke up. "Uhhh... where did it go?" he asked, confused.
Hunter could now see out the window so he scanned the sky with his eyes, seeing nothing.
"Maybe... it gave up?" As soon as the Kougra said that, he wished he hadn't.
Two large, black talons pierced either side of the ship, almost skewering Jeffory. The other embedded itself right above Jack's head, and he shrieked like a little girl.
"We've been seized!" Jeffory shouted over the roaring wind that was now blowing inside the ship. Jack's teeth were chattering when he retorted, "Thanks for the input there, Jeff!" He was gripping his armrests tightly and looked about ready to wet himself.
They cried out in terror as the talons let go of their ship, sending it plummeting towards the ground once again. This time, however, Hunter was unable to right their course and he cried over his shoulder, "BRACE YOURSELVES!"
And everything went black.
(A/N Cliffhanger, hanging from a CLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIF! And that's why he's called "Cliffhanger!" Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, like stated on the other notes (y'know, at the top of the page) I'll be getting the updates back on course when I post the next chapter Friday. So, please leave a review, and I'll see you all soon.
LaDude out.)