It's finally here guys the chapter you've been waiting for sorry for the long wait but here you go

Chapter 4: A Scroll Of Choice

With the crystals lighting up my way, I doubled back en route, a recalling eddy began to seep and swirl within my mind, pacing as the drip-drops of the dim, damp cave.

Who knew one could be so easy to know yet so hard to understand?

The answer to that, I`ll never know. But I knew for sure that Jane, my mother, was a dutiful woman, whose honest exterior cloaked a cunning and enigmatic mind within. She was also one to never turn away a good riddle, puzzle, whatever it was that challenged her brain in taking great strides to work... .

At that thought, I felt my hands ball into fists. And to think she was down here all this while.

For Terra`s sake, doing what?

Good question, again, one which I have no answers for. At the end, ever since that twelfth year and afterwards, that steady pang of hatred and slight disgust had always resided in my being. Even as Jane became more and more distant, and visited less and less. I took no offense for whatever she did. Deliberate or not, I could not blame her, for she had more important duties than staying after the family. After all, Gran had started that Jane needed to be down here to keep this so-called `balance` in both worlds...

And bam, I`m fifteen and now this...

Wow, just wow, how fast those years by.

With that, I sighed a deep one, and ducked under an overgrown cluster of stalactities. One thing for sure: I`ll never figure her out.

Flame, meanwhile, raised a puzzled brow, seeming not to have a single clue on what my musings were about. Iggy, on the other hand, merely looked up to me, concerned.

I smiled, patting his head. 'Let`s just hope all this reaches somewhere.'

Then, all of sudden, something caught the corner of my vision, prompting my attention to instantly shift leftwards, where a door seemed to materialize right out of the rocky wall. Astonishment prickled my skin, feeling my eyes widen in fraction, and then narrowing in slight suspicion. Was this really the entry Jane stated about?

Tensing, I gripped my holster and looked cautiously both forwards and back.

Both pathways were clear. That had to be a good sign... Right?

Yet, something felt off, or as if someone or something had been expecting me. Don`t know what though, but I knew I had to be extra cautious.

Drawing out my blaster, I slotted the Enigmo into place. 'Guess it`s your turn, Ig.'

'Uh-huh, uh-huh!' He gave a grin and bobbed his head determinedly.

My eyes then drew to the Blue-Infurnus atop my right shoulder. 'And Flame,' I said. 'You know what to do.'

She nodded, tensed and her threatening aura brightened considerably.

The door itself appeared electronic in nature. At first contact, the steel-like surface sent a race of prickling chills through my nerves, tingling enough to cause an involuntary twitch within my muscles, but only briefly. Despite the pins and prickles, I leaned down to press an ear against the surface, listening in for any sounds that may originate from the other side.

And then, like some kind of sick joke, the door whirred open. The sudden, sliding motion caught me completely off guard and made me lose my footing down to a rather gentle incline.

'What in Te-!' I nearly yelled, as everything flipped so fast that I barely had to time to register anything else, other than the jarring force and tumbling that followed. Iggy let out a panicked cry as I found myself dropping flat on my side in a sprawled heap, half a face buried into the snow, whereas Flame thumped further away.

Suddenly, I retraced mentally. Wait a ticking sec, snow?

With an irritated grunt, I rose on all fours, and staggered to my feet, shaking the white sprinkles out of my hair. I blinked once, then twice, not sure if I should do so again and again, or if my sights were deceiving me. Where in Terra was this place?

Large and free, the entire area was like a training chamber of some sort, and a few degrees lower than that metal of an electronic door. If anything, it was better than been dunked butt-first n*** into a pool of ice cubes.

Beneath each step, the snow scrunched and shifted, its paper-like whiteness blanketing as much as ground in waves until the ashen, rocky walls, curling up and against them like thick, bent fingers.

Shouldering the straps of my backpack into place, I picked up Flame and the Iggy-loaded blaster, and proceeded onwards, still not believing the abrupt change in surroundings. My body was pinched from the frigidness, although not enough for a shiver. My nostrils chilled, flaring from each draw of the crisp air and billowing out in visible puffs of mist that faded quickly into the vast, blue-tinted nothingness. Was this snow even real?

Halfway across, and another door appeared into view from the other end of the cavern. But hardly had I moved a step further when an awfully familiar whine reached my ears.

Instantly, I halted mid-step, could feel my shoulders brace and fists clench. But after a rational moment, I reassured myself in a single, cool breath. Calm down and focus, Emily. You can do this. No immediate movements.

Somebody was definitely behind me.

Suddenly, the plosive pop of a blaster fired off once, then twice. I whirled round, my loaded arm swinging out to discharge at whoever they were. A glimpse of two slugs streaked in from my right, both at a hundred miles an hour and still closing in.

I leapt backwards just in time as the first crashed into the snow, exploding a spattering plume into my face. Through the edge of my snow-blinded vision, the other, I could see, apparently had more luck, and took the split-second opening before I could squeeze the trigger.

Zipping too close to whip a breeze, they rammed a pebble-sized fist into my chest with the force of a single punch, one that lifted me off and right out of balance.

I grunted when my back fell into the snow.`

Another blink again, and I was staring into the opening end of another blaster. A loaded rammstone, it would seem. From there on, and following up to its looming owner, who all I could make out against the fluorescent glare was their furry, silhouetted figure.

I shielded my eyes against the shine and asked hesitantly, 'Who are you again?'

Instead a reply, the stranger edged their slug-shooter closer, until all of a sudden, and completely out from nowhere, Flame leapt in between.

By that flare, anyone could guess the underlying message: Back off, slowly.

Despite the hanging threat, they merely spared a glance, as though they found the Blue-Infurnus as no more than a pest.

Then, they centered back on me, casting in a sudden once-over that could make anyone wince.

Coupled with those eyes of theirs, it was, dare I say, downright unnerving.

'Are you of Jane`s?'

What`s that supposed to mean?

'Yeah, and it`s Emily.'

Then, they jumped in.

'I don`t trust you.'

In open astonishment, I blinked. Caught unaware by such bluntness, my throat bobbed. Whatever question, that it was, instantly withered at the tip of my tongue.

Wow, just wow.

Not knowing what else to say, I managed a weak utter of, 'Um, ok?'

Still, I had to admit, that odd voice of theirs breathed quite a chill. A girly over the background echo of a deep masculine. Unnerving, I noted, was beginning to sound like an understatement.

Gripping my angled knees for leverage, I sat up, sandwiched between those analyzing eyes and the press of silence. While Flame`s slitted glare was still flaring a scorch, Ig, who had crawled out from my cast aside blaster, appeared as clueless as ever.

And then, they broke through again, like a whip crack in an empty room.

'You may see me as yer,' they paused to eye the slugs, 'guardian. But make no mistake `bout this, as the Missus child, I be expecting more from you. Crystal?'

I felt my brows frame into a frown. No, I didn`t. But a child? Not anymore... .

Nevertheless, I dipped a nod.

'Fair onya then,' and with that, they withdrew their blaster back into a spine holster, stepping back to let some rising space.

I stood and began dusting myself up. Well that concludes first impressions. And Terra, was I beginning to realize how much I sucked at them.

Now in a clear vantage point, I viewed them in height, as they reached up no less than my gut. And yet again, those bead eyes, wholly, and as black as smouldering coals. Hard, yet holding a faint flicker of trust. Or maybe that was just my sight being tricked by the fluorescence. Who knew?

My brow winged when I caught recognition. A creature as this I never imagined on seeing up close and real. I had always thought those stories Jane had rattled on about the extinct races in Slugterra, about a race of raccoon-like humanoids like this, were just myths.

Still, intrigue got the best of me, albeit hesitantly. 'There were stories that Jane told me about an extinct race called the, uh, Arakunai, right?'

For a moment, they stiffened and wrinkled their muzzle, before dismissing the inquiry with the flick of a wrist. 'If that`s what you see,' they replied in a cryptic manner. 'But for now, address me as Armand, and no, no more of the quiz. Now follow.'

Without another glance, they turned and walked away.

'Ok?' I took that evasion, for now.

Aside the questionable gender, that name of theirs was a bit puzzling. Last time, if I remembered correctly, isn`t Armand supposed to be a ... No, that wasn`t right.

Or were they androgynous?

With a shudder, I shook myself out of that thought and moved after the brisk Arakunai.

Again, who knew?

~(Break)~

Scanning about the immediate room, I took in every detail and every inch. Honestly, I had to admit that the entire hideout, though a bit dusty, was impressive by all standards. I knew once it came to Jane, anyone knew better than to expect anything less, especially here in her former quarters (which now belonged to yours truly). It was nothing too crude, nothing too sophisticated. Just right and secure.

Plus, the side glassed-in windows gave this incredible profile of the rushing Talon cataracts. Another impressive point, if anyone asked me.

'It`s quite nice, don`t you think?' I asked Armand, hoping for some small talk, even as I had no idea what rattled their cage. I mean, geez.

Maybe Ig could cheer them up, I`d bet a nice, long raspberry would do.

'There`ll be heap of time for feeding those eyes,' was their reply, before continuing. 'As for now, go wait back at the rec room.'

I pursed my lips. Well, so much for that.

'Sure, sure, whatever you say.'

Soon, I backtracked out, down the right-angled stairs, and into the B-shaped recreation room (which anyone could guess the derivative).

I could not understand Armand`s resentment towards me, or what I did. The subtle sarcasm, demands and barbs just didn`t make any sense.

If they were really my supposed guardian, then why were they being so difficult to relate?

I unsling my backpack and flopped down into one of the plush bean bags. Perhaps they were PMSing. Enough said. After all, it`d be better to look at them that way, and with that glossy, enviable, bone-blond hair of theirs, as a 'she'. That clearly reminded me of those gaudy, female bullies back at middle school, during those dodgeball sessions... where a part of my side still hurts... Yeah, Armand reminded that, and a lot.

Speaking of the potential bully, she came down moments later, a combination safe in her hands. Almost similar to that Jane`s crate.

I do wonder what`s in there?

After unlocking it, the Arukunai drew out a rolled scroll and came over.

With a grateful nod, I accepted, while she wordlessly stalked away.

I smiled to Flame, then patted Ig`s head, trying to reassure both, before unrolling the scented paper.

Well, here goes something:

~Emily,

My dear Emily, please if you are reading this message, then, I may still be very much alive... and breathing. But do not worry about my well-being, for I am so glad that you followed Willma`s instructions and took up the mantle as a Blaster. Terra would be very proud.

Although there isn`t much to tell, times have changed indeed. Since the High Slugdown, things have not always been the same. ~

My eyebrow shot up. The High Slugdown? What event was that anyway?

Even if there were a lot of things unknown, I kept my calm and mentally filed that note away. That could wait for later.

~All I can share is that you may not find me in any way or by any means. But when the time is right, I shall seek you first.

Until then, my dearest colleague, which I am sure you have met, will be your way and your guide throughout Slugterra. Trust in her and she will guide you in all that you need to know.

You may have also gotten hold of an old picture of my team and recognize a very certain man in it. Yes, he was a teammate of mine and those legendary stories about him are very true. But note this Lily, the older generation may have parted ways. However yours have a very long path ahead to tread through. ~

I threw a puzzled glance to Flame, who barely blinked. She seemed just as clueless as I.

Figuring Jane out just got a lot harder.

~Emily, my dear eaglet, I know I may not have been the best mother in terms of been there for you-~

Yeah right, some serious understatement right there.

~ -and I may not have also done well in involving you in this. But the choice was not mine... ~

From the corner of my vision, Ig was, by his mouth, dragging forward a small packet from the unlocked safe.

Accepting, I unfolded it, and there, stringing by a neck chain, was a silvern locket, etched with a bas-relief of an eagle`s profile overlaid on a bold `B`.

Gingerly picking the decorative case up, I clicked the hinged cover open.

My breath took a sudden hitch.

In it, was a black-and-white hued picture of Jane... and me?

No, it couldn`t be...

I continued staring, for who knew how long, not able to believe nor tear my eyes away. That safe sensation of been in her arms, as once that eleven-year-old, still tingled across my skin. In spite of those hateful pangs I still felt myself a smile at having some semblance to her image, specifically that sharp-edged, cunning smirk of hers.

A borderline mischief, if anyone asked me.

Ig looked up to me with a concerned face. I smiled and patted his head. Sometimes, it really made me wonder how he and Flame were able to know Jane, but up till now, have no remembrance of her past or this hideout.

The final words of the letter were written:

~It was yours all this while.

PS:

Say hello to Flame and Iggy. I know things look odd... but they will come around in time. ~

I shook my head in amusement. Again, I would never figure out this woman.

Despite that, I had to ask myself: Was this what Gran would want? What Jane would want?

What I really want?

After all, if I did this, there was nothing to go back to.

Then, I see no reason... why not?

'Well, I think my mind is made up,' I said, 'and it`s a yes.'

And then, Armand`s paired voice jiggled my awareness back. Snobbish.

'If you asked me, I`d say you have a heap to go through. For starters, your slinging form is bloody, bloody bodgy.'

Flame hopped onto my shoulder and let out a snarl back at them. Even without turning around, an anxious gulp bobbed in my throat.

Oh Terra, this couldn`t be good.