[A/N: This is pretty much strictly a Clementine chapter. I've really wanted to experiment with her character to see what she'd do if she was on her own that's mainly the reason why I put her by herself in this chapter. As for the scene with Erik in this chapter I really hope everyone saw this coming, but I'm not going to give away too many spoilers. Enjoy the chapter!]
When she's first entered the Melodic Forest, Clementine was more than just a little confused. First of all there was no forest. Second of all there was no music. Third of all she was underwater. Using her magic Clementine transformed her legs back into a mermaid's tail and began swimming around. This water was a lot colder than it had been in Atlantica and it didn't seem like there was any animals or merpeople around.
As she continued to swim around to try and make sense of where she was Clementine heard a whistling call coming from ahead of her. Whales maybe. I haven't seen a whale since I left home. She heard the call again; louder this time. Yep, defiantly whales. Swimming closer to the source of the sound Clementine began to notice that she was enclosed in a cave of ice. That would explain why it's so cold. She began to shiver and wrapped her arms around herself to try and keep warm. I need to get out here and try to warm up.
Continuing to swim around the ice cave Clementine heard the whistle again and could see a large shape off in the distance. Maybe the whales here can talk like the ones in Atlantica. Drawing closer to the sound of the whistling Clementine saw a very large whale calf up against the side of the ice. She opened her mouth to speak to it, but only saw a bubble come out of her mouth. Why can't I talk? This is strange. So the whale probably can't talk either. She swam a little closer to the whale calf who continued to whistle when she saw two much larger shadows outside the ice. They must be the parents.
The whale calf looked over at Clementine and swam over to her. It whistled again and moved its head in the direction of the ice.
I see. It wants me to help it get back to its parents. She didn't think her magic was strong to even put a dent in the ice and was pondering this when the whale calf began to swim away. Short attention span or maybe it's found another way out. Clementine swam after the calf until they came to a beam of light that was coming out of a hole in the roof of the ice. She watched the calf float upwards through the ice and cautiously swam after it.
She found herself floating up after it and tried to get a grip on the ice beside her. What's going on? Why am I floating towards the sky all of a sudden? Clementine found herself swimming (or was it floating) after the calf who was now with its parents when she saw a giant shadow come over her. She looked up to see a pod of whales floating (swimming?) over her. Oh this is getting too weird for me. This needs to stop now. I either need to be in the water or on the ground. This random flying business isn't alright.
As she continued to float upwards Clementine saw a portal of light and began to swim towards it. That must be the way out of this place. Drawing closer to the light Clementine found herself being blinded by the light, but kept on going towards it.
The new area that Clementine found herself still wasn't a forest. In fact it was a bustling city with tall buildings and bright florescent neon lights. Clementine looked around the city when she was nearly knocked over by a young black man wearing a overalls.
The young man stopped running, turned around, and tipped the helmet he was wearing at her. He then turned around and started running again.
Thinking this would be a good route to take Clementine started after the man, but had to stop when she saw him run into a construction yard. This may not be the best place to look. Looks like it could be dangerous. She left the construction yard and started walking through the down town area.
As she continued walking Clementine saw a black robe go around a corner into an alley. Could that be Erik? Better go check it out. Just in case it is him though I'd better be prepared. On tip toe Clementine followed the figure into the alley. Once she got down far enough she did indeed see Erik, but he wasn't alone.
Beside Erik were Puck and Antonia both of whom looked like they were whispering excitedly. Puck got a little too close to Erik who took a step back before patting his head. Antonia was prancing around him in the same excited manner before she was smacked upside the head.
I knew it. I knew he was up to no good, but what am I going to tell Juliet? She's head over heels for this guy. I can't tell her that he's been playing her this whole time. She crouched down behind a garbage can, but in doing so accidently kicked a can.
Erik heard the can and was able to make out the source of the noise and glanced over at it. He looked back at Puck and Antonia and motioned for them to go investigate.
Clementine darted out from behind the garbage can and back out into the bright street light with Puck and Antonia close behind. I can't fight them one on two, but maybe I can out run them. She continued to run as fast as she could until she got to a gated off ice rink. Hopping over the gate Clementine found it easy to skate across the ice and when she looked back she saw Puck and Antonia slipping and sliding across the ice. Looks I've given them the slip. She suddenly realized how stupid the pun was and giggled to herself. However, her laughter soon ceased when she turned around and found herself face to face with Erik.
He stared at her for a few seconds before he smiled. What's the matter? Afraid?
That was weird. It sounded like he was talking to her in her head. How are you doing that?
I'm not going to answer any of your questions until you answer some of mine. Such as are you afraid?
Clementine only stared at him as she started to back up that is until she backed into someone. She looked up to see Puck and Antonia blocking her escape route.
This is the last time I'm going to ask nicely, Clementine. Are you afraid?
Of what? Of the situation or of you?
The amused smile only grew. Of either.
I'm not scared of you. Or of this situation.
The smile flickered when Erik heard her response. Really? Are you sure? Behind him the lights of the city were starting to flicker and grow dim.
What are you doing?
Just showing you who you're up against. Behind Erik there was the bright glitter of golden eyes shifting about in the darkness.
Clementine tried to back up again only to be pushed forward by Puck. She nearly fell against Erik who stepped out of the way. She looked up to see pride elephant standing over her; froth coming from its mouth.
The wraith reared up on its hind legs and stomped down just narrowly missing her head.
By the way Clementine where's Juliet and Akio these days? Or did you set out on your own like you said you were going to?
Clementine had to roll out of the way when the wraith went to step on her again. How did you know about that?
I observe. You know you have a lot of hateful thoughts about them. Especially about Juliet. He was circling her now. Accompanying Erik's vulture like stare was the high pitched cackles from Puck and Antonia. Tell me what I want to know and I'll call them off.
That depends. What do you want to know?
What's Juliet planning once she finds all seven pure lights?
Anything you want her to do. She's totally devoted to you. Clementine glared up at Erik who had a sneer on his face.
Devoted to me you say? Well isn't flattering?
She loves you. Did you know that?
Oh yes I knew that. She told me. Erik's facial expression didn't change as he saw Clementine's eyes widen.
You know? You know and you're still going to this?
Of course. Juliet is only a means to an end for me.
Clementine got up and pointed an accusing finger at him. You're a monster. That's what you are. You're a manipulative son of a-
Watch your mouth Clementine.
She was sick of listening to Erik and shot a ball of fire at him before she took off at a dead run.
Run as fast as you can little magician there's nowhere to hide.
Clementine wasn't looking back as she continued running at break neck speed down the nearly deserted street. She could hear Puck and Antonia (or she was assumed that's who it was) coming after her and continued to run until she saw another portal of light. Nowhere to run? Yeah right I can get out of here no sweat. Her cockiness cost her when she tripped over her own feet and fell face first into the pavement. Quickly, she got up and wiped the blood from her nose and lip before practically throwing herself into the portal just as Puck and Antonia were coming up the street.
So this is where the forest has been. Clementine got up, but not before casting a simple cure spell on herself to heal her nose and busted lip. She took a few steps forward when she saw a small tree that was covered in pink blossoms. This is a pretty place. It's nice to know that Erik and his goons haven't gotten here. There was the sound of something flying through the air and she looked up to see a green bodied sprite with flowing hair that was decorated with flowers in her hair. Who's that I wonder? Off in the distance she could see a mountain that the sprite was flying off towards. I should go after her.
Clementine was a pretty good climber and was able to get up the side of the mountain just in time to see the sprite touching something inside. This looked quiet suspicious and Clementine waved at the sprite to get her attention, but wasn't seen.
As soon as the sprite's hand touched the protruding rock formation it burst to life.
There as a pair of large molten red and gold eyes staring down at her as lava started gushing forth. In fact it came out with such force that it knocked both the sprite and Clementine off the mountain's side. The lava frothed and twisted until it came up in the form of a giant bird with spread wings.
Clementine's head hit the grass pretty hard, but she was able to gather her wits about her. She looked back at the sprite who was cowering behind a tree and motioned at her to hide. Getting up Clementine saw the Firebird melt back into its viscous lava form and began sliding down the mountain side. Come and get it whatever you are. I'm not afraid of a little lava. She cast a blizzard spell at the Firebird only to see it melt on contact. All right so that wasn't the best move I could have done. The heat was blistering now as the lava beast made its way closer.
Poking up from behind a tree was the sprite who was braver then she looked. She cast an aero spell on Clementine before darting back behind the tree.
Looking back at where the sprite was hiding Clementine thought it best that she try and lure the Firebird away from her. She cast a poison spell at the Firebird before darting away from the tree. Come on chase me you big mess of a pyroclastic flow. Come and get me I know you want me.
The Firebird turned its great fiery head in Clementine's direction and began making its way towards her. It reared its head up and blew a wall of fire towards her.
Clementine quickly brought up a huge wall of water to protect herself when a thought occurred to her. You're not so tough you know. I happen to know water spells. Just to make this a little more interesting how about a little of this. She cast a gravity spell on the Firebird's massive thick liquid body making it float up in the air. She got down on her stomach and crawled beneath it feeling the white hot heat all over her body and rolled over onto her back. Let's see how you like this you great fiery jackass. Clementine sent up a ball of water.
The Firebird let out a shriek before it started to dissolve.
That's doing the trick. Let's hit it again. She cast another bigger water spell this time aimed at the Firebird's head.
There was another high pitched shriek before the Firebird completely dissolved away into sticky hot vapor.
Clementine lay still on her back for a moment; her arms and legs akimbo breathing hard and covered in sweat. I never want to see fire again. She wiped some of the sweat from her forehead when she saw the sprite looking down at her.
The sprite smiled down at her cast a healing spell on Clementine.
She wanted to lay still for a few more minutes while the magic took effect. After about a minute she sat up and looked over at the sprite who was still smiling. It wasn't a big deal really, but I couldn't leave you alone with that thing.
There was the sound of feet coming through grass and the sprite began pushing at Clementine's arm to try and get her to run.
Thinking that it was Erik again Clementine heeded the warning and started off through the trees, but not before waving goodbye to the sprite. She wasn't walking for long before she saw another portal of light. Hopefully this is the end of it.
The next thing she knew Clementine was back in the room in the tower and saw that Juliet and Akio were there too. "Well, I'm glad that's over with."
"Did you find Erik?"
Clementine flinched the overly eager look on Juliet's face. She couldn't tell Juliet that she had found Erik and what he'd said. It would break her heart. "No, I didn't find him. I found a helpful sprite and some whales that's about it."
As they walked out of the tower Clementine grabbed onto Akio's sleeve and pulled him aside. "Can I talk to you?"
"What about it? Oh, and before you ask Juliet didn't go off and do anything stupid while I was with her. She was on her best behavior."
"It's not that. Actually, I did see Erik." She saw Akio's eyebrow rise. "I know I know, but I couldn't tell Juliet that."
"You know why. We can't trust him. Besides he told me some things."
"What kind of things?"
Clementine was about to respond when she heard Juliet call to them. "Never mind I'll tell you later."