CHAPTER THREE Sarah returned to five people crowded around the only working screen. Tom was nowhere to be found, but Kaz and Peyton were the ones battling. They were using their coolest creatures, battle gear, and moves in a hope to gather viewers, but their efforts obviously failed. No one was in the area, and the usual whir of robots were nonexistent.
A few minutes after Sarah sat down, she called Kaz.
⌠Hey, Sarah. How many people are out there?■ he asked. Sarah sighed.
⌠I wish I could tell you,■ she lied. ⌠My brother sold his cards to some chick from a church up the road, and she gave them all to me. I spent an hour looking for anything close to the rock formation, but the only card was in a danger zone. Remember when Chaor took the land of some lower creatures and they rebelled?■ she asked. He nodded. ⌠Well, the area is still listed under ▒dangerous▓ because of the danger from landmines. I think we▓ll have to see if someone else has a card, but I▓m sure they don▓t. Oh, I found two backups for Chaor and Maxxor, if Tom can show himself in time for me to get them to him.■ ⌠What other locations did you get?■ Kaz asked. ⌠Most were nowhere near the formation or the forest, and the other closest location was a desert, but it▓s not a Mepedian desert, so we couldn▓t get an ally if we tried. I think we should just asked around whoever▓s left and see if they can get us there,■ Sarah replied. Kaz nodded.
⌠Go to the screens and ask around there, then start calling numbers,■ Kaz suggested.
⌠I lied, Kaz,■ Sarah sighed. ⌠I▓m at the screen. There▓s only five people left, and I can▓t find Tom anywhere. He hasn▓t quit himself has he?■ ⌠I hope not. I▓ll let you go so that you can call him and ask around. See you after the match,■ Kaz whispered. Sarah nodded and the call was ended. She then got the attention of the group and told them about the forest. No one had a scan of the forest or anything near it, so Sarah went towards the tables to see if anyone was hiding. The only person she found was the Gothic girl. Sarah went up to her cautiously.
⌠Excuse me,■ Sarah whispered. ⌠I hate to bother you, but┘do you have a scan of this forest?■ Sarah asked, pointing to a map.
⌠I gave you every card I had, Sarah, but I▓ll look just for you,■ Raven smiled.
⌠You▓re Amelia?■ Sarah asked. ⌠But┘.■ ⌠I know. This is who I really am, but you know parents, always suppressing my vibes. Anyway, here we go. This is a scan of a rock formation near by. It▓s only two miles from the forest.■ ⌠You have a scan of the rocks there! That▓s where we▓re going! Is there anything special there?■ Sarah exclaimed.
⌠You have to discover these things on your own, or with your friends. First, you should find Major Tom, then get your other friends. I▓ll tell you all everything once you get them all together,■ Raven smiled.
⌠Thank you, thank you, thank you!■ Sarah smiled. She then walked away and called Tom, but he didn▓t answer. In fact, the number had been disconnected. Tom had resigned from Chaotic.
Sarah immediately called Peyton and Kaz. They were happy to hear about the scan, but then she had to tell them the real news.
⌠Kaz, are you ready to hear something else?■ Sarah asked.
⌠Nothing can get me down now, Sarah. What is it?■ Kaz asked. Sarah sighed, dreading her next words.
⌠Kaz, Tom resigned today,■ Sarah whispered.
⌠What? He▓d never┘he did?■ Kaz asked, shocked.
⌠I called him right after I talked to the girl who has the scan, but the number was not only disconnected, but it said that he had resigned. I▓m afraid he did, Kaz,■ Sarah whispered. The group sitting around the screen gasped loudly at the news. Once Sarah and Kaz had ended their call, they gathered around her.
⌠What do you mean he resigned?■ the youngest asked. ⌠If it weren▓t for him, I would have quit by now. He taught me how to battle. He is Chaotic! He has the spirit of Chaotic in his heart! Why would he quit?■ the boy cried.
⌠He hated to see it fade away in front of his eyes. This was his life, but┘he threw it away,■ Sarah whispered.
⌠Are you sure it▓s not a trick?■ the only girl asked. ⌠I heard that Klay and Kristalla are trying to get people to join them, but they▓re lying to do it. Maybe they▓re playing a trick on you and your friends to keep you from going on your quest.■ ⌠Don▓t fall for it,■ the oldest whispered. ⌠We▓re all behind you, and we want all four of you to go on that quest together, as a farewell to the game. We have to end it somehow, but not like this.■ Sarah took these words as inspiration, and when the boys finished their match, she talked with them away from their support group.
⌠Kaz, you can get in touch with Tom in the real world, right?■ Sarah asked. He nodded. ⌠Well, go and be back within the hour. Peyton, let▓s plan out this trip. We now have a scan that minimizes the journey, but we▓ll still need supplies.■ ⌠You▓re the wo-man, Sarah!■ Peyton grinned, giving her a high-five. Kaz then ported to see if Tom could be talked into the mission.