I apologize for this chapter taking so long, one of my pets died, so I was under some stress. I hope you enjoy this chapter. :)
Lyon watched as April put Eve down in an almost fluid movement and turned to run towards Marisol. He yelled for her to stop, his heart racing as he watched the girl run towards the monster that was speeding towards them.
As April sent up a terrifyingly powerful gust that sent the dragon backwards, Lyon grabbed up two of the Yoshi kids and yelled for the others to follow him. He quickly raced for the breach in the wall, the air April conjured screaming behind them as they ran.
The girl felt the power rush out from her, and as the gusts continued to beat at the dragon, she began to feel herself drain at a great rate. Her legs began to tremble slightly and her heartbeat echoed in her ears.
Marisol leaped towards the red head with a roar, her claws spread out. April sent out another twister. This one was small so it only caused the beast to take a step back, her tail swaying behind her. It was at that moment that April was cut loose; it was as if some invisible force had cut away her grip on the air around her. The girl panicked and desperately tried to call forth another twister, even a small one, but as she waved a hand in the air in front of her, she realized that was not going to happen any time soon.
The dragon had noticed the wind had died down and looked at the girl, whose face was of an expression of fear. Marisol gave April a saw toothed smile and took a step forward.
Cora ran down the tunnel, her wings spread out behind her. She didn't know how her friends were faring, but it was best not to waste time. They could be in trouble.
She kept going for about five minutes before hearing a crashing noise, a small, but powerful quake ripping through the ground. Fortunately she kept to her feet and moved forward, walking quickly. She was close…
Finally Cora glimpsed something ahead, she was wide eyed when she realized what it was. What looked like a pile of rocks blocked her way; beyond it she could hear voices. She slipped a hand around a rock, and tried to lift it. It was very heavy, but she successful dropped it aside, out of her path. Cora took a deep breath and began working at clearing a way through the stone.
She had moved four more rocks when she heard Lyon shout something. Cora moved to push and pull rocks out of the way as fast as she could. She felt a horrible feeling brush through her and knew somehow that the enemy her friends were facing, was still undefeated. If she didn't hurry, it would be too late!
Cora almost cried in relief when she moved a rock, releasing two more, creating a decent-sized opening. The girl heard a growling noise and without another moment of hesitation, began crawling through it.
April was scared. She had never felt more terrified than she did now. Because the creature's eyes gleamed with such malice, that it was hard to keep her eyes open. The girl just wanted to close her eyes and curl up into a tight ball on the floor. She had been brave before, but had she only been hiding under her power? Without it…she felt only cowardice.
Lyon had deposited the children in the grass outside, the sharp sunshine blinding him when he first stepped out. He told the children to wait for him here and then ran back into the cave. The Yoshi immediately saw the dragon and April. He watched as the human girl lifted both arms in front of her, hopelessly trying to keep herself out of harms way as Marisol charged.
The dragon was onto April, the girl only feet away, and she savored her fear. Marisol could almost taste the smell of terror that radiated from the girl. This was definitely going to be a sweet victory. The monster opened her mouth, her fangs gleaming.
Lyon watched, helpless, as Marisol started for April. He felt himself about to scream in despair and fear for his friend, but when he opened his mouth, another voice sounded off.
"Leave her alone!" April peered through her arms and was amazed at what she saw. Cora's head and shoulders were popped out of the caved in tunnel, the girl straining to wiggle out, her eyes glaring at Marisol, who had turned to see who had yelled.
Marisol's attention was now on Cora, who had successfully crawled the rest of the way out of the hole she had made, gazing at the monster in front of her with sharp determined eyes.
"Come and get me you big ugly snake!" Cora screamed at the dragon, whose look of amusement of now replaced with a scowl.
The dragon ran towards the brunette who looked on, unwavering. April gazed at the scene, her eyes wide, "Cora!" The girl was standing so still…and the beast was getting closer and closer….
Marisol leaped towards Cora, her jaws snapping open. The dragon hit the floor where Cora was, her claws scraping against rock, sounding like nails on a chalkboard. She looked down and quickly noticed that the girl was nowhere in sight, the monster snarled and looked around. She heard a slight sound above her and looked up. The girl was in the air, her wings making soft flapping noises, staring down at the dragon with a shining smile of triumph on her face.
Lyon saw Cora in flight, and grinned at her in happiness, "Yes!"
April ran to where Lyon was and they watched as Marisol eyed the flying girl, her teeth bared spitefully. This was almost an insult to the dragon, who had no wings of her own; which had been a hidden weakness and was now set free
"Not so tough now, are you?" Cora teased Marisol, who glared daggers at her. The monster reared up on her back legs, her tail flipping around behind her, trying to keep balanced, and slashed in an upward arc at the girl. Cora merely moved out of the dragon's reach, her wings flapping in a calm rhythm.
Lyon and April watched as Marisol tried vigorously to swipe at Cora who was so high up she almost disappeared into the shadows above. They looked at one another, April frowning, "What do we do now?"
Lyon frowned back at her, "What do you mean?"
"If we leave, she may just call the kid's back and hurt them. We have to do something." It would have been great if they could just leave! But…if they left the cave, wouldn't they have to come back again later if the monster took the children again?
"You're right." He looked back at Marisol who was now trying to climb a pile of gems to reach Cora, "This has to end, I wont let her steal them away again."
Lyon looked to where Cora floated, "Cora!"
She looked down at him from her place in the air, "What's wrong Lyon?"
"You have to finish her! She's been doing something to call the children here, we can't just leave."
Cora didn't look happy with that and looked down at the dragon. Would she really have to kill something? The thought had never came to her until now. She bit her lip, feeling on edge.
I have no choice, she thought, it will only continue until it is defeated. This is for the good of all…
The winged girl watched the dragon jump towards her again then glanced up. She saw the glowing stalactites and grabbed a hold of a smaller one. She was surprised when it broke off easily. Cora held it uncertainly in her hands, and looked down at Marisol again.
Taking in a breath of air to calm herself, Cora dived down towards Marisol, the spire positioned in her hand like a lance. The monster was unprepared for Cora's attack and could not avoid the pointed tip as it cut into her scaly back. She screamed in pain, stomping the ground hard, sending out a short but strong tremor, and snapped at the girl who moved away just in time. Cora quickly flew to arm herself again. When she had another prepared, instead of attacking again, she looked down at Marisol who glared up at her hatefully.
"Why have you done this?" Cora asked Marisol who looked taken back, " Stolen innocent children from their homes? Attacked us?"
The dragon sat on her haunches, her eyes never leaving Cora, "Because of the blue."
"What?"
"THE BLUE YOU STUPID GIRL!" Marisol barked.
Cora glanced at her friends, who were looking at Marisol, Lyon covering his ears. What on earth was this thing talking about?
"I don't understand what you mean? What is this blue?"
The monster seemed to calm down slightly by this question and replied softly, "The blue is the night, but it is also the day. It shines and at the same time it is also cast in shadow. You can take from it promises, but also regret. It gives you something good…then takes it away. That is the blue."
"The orbetrum!" April spoke up, "That is its name!"
"Silence thief!" Marisol snarled at the red head who stepped behind Lyon, "This is not your place to speak."
Cora frowned, "You had the orbetrum once? When?"
Marisol was silent. Then looked up at the girl, "Yes. I found it one day, gleaming in the starlight."
"But this is a cave? How could you get outside?" April wondered aloud.
The dragon glared at the red head, "It was not always like this, I used to live in an open mountain cave. Rain and snow fell, and there was sunshine!" Marisol closed her eyes, "I miss the wind and the sun, and you have opened a way into the outside world for me…yet all I can see is…"
"Blue?" Cora finished, her expression one of sadness. The orbetrum had driven this creature mad. It only proved just how dangerous this object was.
"Yes." Marisol relaxed her body onto the ground, her expression full of pain, "It haunts me. It renders me weak in its grip. I cannot escape. " The creature dug her claws into a pile of gems and released them, the rocks clinking against one another, "All I see is that blue."
"I'm so sorry that this has happened to you." Cora landed, her shoes touching ground silently, releasing the stalactite where it fell to the ground. She was no longer wary of the dragon; she could feel a soft feeling of sadness and peace from Marisol. This time, thanks to Fila, the feeling was not overbearing, but only a slight nudge. Fila…
"I have an idea," Cora said suddenly, receiving a curious look from her two friends. The girl reached into her pocket for the gem, "Fila."
"What is it? How are you faring Cora?" Marisol reacted badly to Fila's voice, and got to her feet, teeth peeled back.
"It is her." The dragon glared at Cora who looked up, alarm clear on her face.
"Who?"
"That voice, it is that girl! The one who cursed me with the blue stone!"
"Fila?"
"Fila?" Marisol gave Cora a threatening but also bewildered look, "Who is this Fila?"
"Is something wrong Cora?" Fila's voice was full of concern and Cora quickly answered her.
"No, we're fine. But there is a creature here who says she had the orbetrum at one time."
Fila's voice was excited. "Really? What does she know now of it's location?"
"Uh, she says she found it then it was stolen from her by a girl."
"Could it be Areola?" April asked, now standing next to Cora. Marisol roared angrily at the mention of the name, stomping her foot again. Cora tried to keep her balance when the ground shook again and sighed, "I take that as a yes."
Lyon stepped over to Cora and looked at the gem in her hand, "Fila? My name is Lyon. It's nice to…meet you."
"I as well am glad to meet you." Fila replied politely, "Now, Cora. Ask the creature if she knows how long ago she met the girl."
"A month." Marisol said before Cora could open her mouth. The dragon was now next to the trio, looking down with interest at the gem.
"I see." Fila's voice was full of disappointment, "That means this all happened before my sister came to me."
"So…then this information doesn't help us." April sighed.
Marisol's head was now hovering over Cora's shoulder, her eyes studying the gem in the girl's hand, "Can you help me?" The dragon's voice was full of pleading.
"I will try and remove the taint of the orbetrum. Cora, if you will, please place the gem."
Cora took the gem in her fingers and gently but firmly pressed it against the side of Marisol's face, "It's on her face, will that work? Should I be touching it still?"
"Yes, you're fine Cora. Just keep it there for awhile and I'll siphon out the dark energy."
They all watched as the white gem flashed a bright yellow and Cora was startled when she felt the gem grow warm under her fingers. Marisol eyed the gem and grunted in pain when it suddenly brightened. Cora closed her eyes against the shine of the gem, it was almost ethereal in beauty, but so bright it stung.
"It…hurts." Marisol whispered, trembling under Cora's hand. Cora placed a hand on the dragon's neck and stroked her softly, trying to calm her down.
"Don't worry, it's almost over." Fila's voice echoed all around them, as if she was standing in the room with them. It almost felt to Cora that Fila's hand was on hers, but when she opened her eyes she only saw her own hand, and a light that was starting to dim. Soon the gem returned to its original white brilliance and the dragon stepped back, away from Cora.
"I-I feel…like I did before." Marisol's voice was full of wonder, her eyes bright with a newfound energy, "The yearning has left me."
Cora smiled, "Fila it worked! Thank you so much."
April frowned down at the gem, "Wait a second what do you mean by dark energy?"
Fila paused for a second then spoke, "The orbetrum is made up of both energies of light and dark. Only a pure being can touch it and not be affected by its influence on their person."
"So, Marisol is really evil anyways?" April asked, receiving another razor sharp glare from the dragon.
"No, she is like everyone else. None of you are pure beings beside my sister and I."
"So, how will we hold the orbetrum when we find it?" Cora asked her.
"When you are owner of my gem, you will not be tainted by the blue rune's power. Just keep it with you at all times. Be aware, that April nor your new companion Lyon, will be able to touch the orbetrum, it would be dangerous if they did." April and Lyon exchanged a nervous glance. This would definitely be some useful information. They were afraid to ask what would happen if they did accidently touch the orbetrum.
"Thank you." Marisol's voice thrummed with happiness, "Now I can live out the rest of my days in peace."
"You are welcome. I am sorry for the pain my sister has caused you."
"I'm ready to wring the girl's neck." April mumbled. It was after all, her fault all this was happening.
No one seemed to hear what April said under her breath except Marisol, who gave the girl a pleased look. April grinned at her. Well, at least the dragon no longer wanted to kill her. That was a plus.
"You must continue your journey now, as we speak, the orbetrum could be affecting more innocents."
"Of course Fila," Cora said, "We will get going as soon as possible, but first we have to return some children to their homes."
"May the light always shine down on you."
"Goodbye, and thank you so much for your help."
The light from the gem flickered then disappeared.
Marisol immediately began moving towards the opening in the wall, though she looked to big too fit all her body in unless she made it bigger somehow. She seemed to realize this, "Please my friends, leave this place first, I will have to break my way through."
Cora nodded and made her way to the opening, her friends following behind her. The moment she stepped outside she was blinded by sunshine, and gasped when a gust of fresh air hit her face. She felt tears prickle in her eyes, feeling relieved to finally be outside again. April and Lyon had a similar reaction, though both of them just had large smiles on their faces.
After awhile the light shining down from between the thick puffy clouds was no longer unbearable and everyone's eyes adjusted normally again. April turned to watch Marisol's head appear from the hole in the cave. The dragon wiggled her shoulders through, but then appeared stuck. She looked unsure of herself, then with a mighty roar she burst through the opening, sending rocks flying in different directions. She stepped onto the grass her head bowed, the light hurting her eyes, then she straightened her neck and peered up at the sky, her eyes shining in happiness.
As Marisol pulled the rest of her body out and then lastly her tail, the hole behind her caved in with a thundering crash, sending dust scattering around them. The trio closed their eyes, coughing, and after awhile the air finally cleared up.
"Thank you again… for saving me." The dragon looked down at them thankfully, her head dipped down, almost in a bow of respect. She smiled down at them, looking almost savage except for the shine of joy in her eyes, then began climbing the mountain, her scales shimmering silver in the sunshine.
The two girls and Yoshi watched the dragon climb up, until she disappeared from view. A few brave Yoshi kids wandered from where they hid from the bushes and ran to Lyon. He was startled when he felt something grab onto his leg then looked down to see a Yoshi child hugging him and smiled.
"Finally!" April let out a whoop of happiness, "Freedom! Goodbye sucky caves!"
Cora laughed and watched a blue and black butterfly fly past her shoulder and into the sky. They had done it. With sheer determination and teamwork they had saved the children and another life in the process. Cora was feeling pretty good, and she knew by looking at her laughing friends, that they felt exactly the same way.
"Oww…oww…oww."
"Will you shut up you big baby! It's no ones fault but your own."
"I know, it just hurts so dang much!" Henry whined for the 50th time.
Marvin was annoyed, very very annoyed. This idiot hammer bro was a non-stop migraine. He probably held the world record for the most irritating being of all time. After his little dance with the hornets he had came out of it covered in welts, and wouldn't stop whining until he had to use some of his power to take away the pain, which in turn, made him weary. After hours of searching for the girls and Yoshi, the hammer bro had taken to complaining again, meaning that the magic had worn off.
"Can't you do that thing again?" Henry begged, as he followed the magikoopa through the woods, "You know, the sparkly purple thing that got rid of the pain."
"No, I can't. I need to reserve my power for more important things." Marvin replied, "Now stop your bothersome whining."
"Ooh…it just hurts soooo badly. I feel like I fell on a cactus and got sprayed with lemonade."
"Sounds exciting."
"Ugh, I hate you."
"Believe me my friend, the feeling is mutual." They had been walking for a while now and the hem of his robe was riddled with burrs. He was also developing a small blister on his left foot, which was definitely not helping the situation. He longed to fly and leave his irritating companion behind but felt the urge to save his power, though he didn't know why.
I don't weaken that easily, he thought to himself, but I feel tired though for some reason.
"Fine, ignore me." Henry said bitterly, knocking aside a branch in his path, and promptly getting hit with it in the nose, "Ow…"
Marvin rolled his eyes and stepped over some tall weeds in his path, almost tripping over a hidden stone. Where had those girls and their dinosaur gone? What if they had lost them for good? Ugh…Lord Bowser was going to kill him…
Henry kept himself preoccupied as they walked by whistling. Marvin did his very best to ignore his, but after minutes of walking, he snapped. Spinning around, he pointed his wand at Henry, the end of it pressed hard onto the bro's nose.
"SHUT UP!" He screamed, "YOU HAVE BEEN DRIVING ME UP A WALL FOR THE PAST TWO HOURS!"
The hammer bro stared ahead blankly, an uneasy look in his eyes. Had he perhaps went a little too far? Probably.
"W-wow, man! Yeesh! I'm sorry." Henry stepped back, away from the wand, and stuck both hands in front of him, giving the magikoopa a nervous grin.
Marvin stared at him for a long moment; his eyes narrowed, then turned, his wand at his side. They began walking again, Henry silent for once.
Another hour passed and they stepped out of the trees and into a large field that seemed to stretch into forever, far off a white-topped mountain towered over a body of water.
Marvin gritted his teeth in frustration. Which way had they gone? There were so many possible directions. Didn't they mention that the Yoshi lived on a lake? Hmm…
The koopa glanced at the direction of the mountain in the distance and decided they should head that way. It was all the information they had to work with right now, and that was good enough for him.
"This way." The hammer bro nodded, still silent.
Marvin grinned wickedly as they began walking. He should have scared Henry a long time ago, it was oh so worth it. The silence was beautiful. As they walked he glanced around him at the expanse of plains and rolling white clouds in the sky, and then felt himself step on something. Marvin looked down.
Don't worry girls, he thought, I believe we may be catching up. He grinned as he bent down to pick up a discarded banana peel.
Didn't see that coming? Lol it appears that April has accidently left behind a trail of fruit peelings. Thanks for reading! Reviews are loved. 3