Oh my gosh! Chapter 100! This is amazing! I didn't think I would make it this far in this story. Thank you readers for being interested in this story, and especially to those who left reviews! The support of those reviews helped to keep me going. Thank you! Enjoy this pretty long chapter. ;)
Within the Blue Sphere-Light:
After the flash, Lloyd saw nothing but darkness all around him. He looked around to see if there was any light, but there wasn't. However, Lloyd felt that his hand was holding onto someone else's hand.
'Raven,' Lloyd thought.
'Lloyd,' Raven thought, when she heard Lloyd's voice.
'What... Raven, you can hear me?' Lloyd asked in his mind.
'Yes I can, and you can hear my thoughts too,' Raven replied.
'How is this possible?' Lloyd asked.
'I'm not sure, but I don't think we can actually talk,' Raven replied.
'What?' Lloyd asked, as he turned towards Raven.
He gasped in his mind when he saw that Raven was only a purple outline of herself and her eyes. Raven looked towards Lloyd when she heard him gasp, and her eyes widened when she saw that he was only a green outline of himself and his eyes.
'Where are we?' Raven asked, as she looked around.
'We can only talk through our minds, and we don't look normal so... are we in our minds?' Lloyd speculated.
Both Ninja looked down and noticed that they were still holding hands.
'It's a good thing we held hands before coming here. We might have been lost from each other," Raven said, and Lloyd agreed.
Then a light shone, as Raven and Lloyd looked ahead to see a far-off light approaching them.
'What's that?' Raven asked.
'I don't know,' Lloyd replied.
Then the light came closer at a higher speed, and Raven and Lloyd gasped, as Lloyd protectively wrapped his other arm around Raven. The light passed over them, as they closed their eyes, but it ended up changing their surroundings.
After a few moments of waiting, Lloyd and Raven opened their eyes as Lloyd let go of Raven. They looked around and their eyes widened in amazement and wonder at their new surroundings. There were wooden buildings, with various colored roofs that reached a little passed the building structure in a pyramid shape. Almost all of the buildings were square or rectangular, and the ground was all dirt with grass surrounding each house and an occasional tree with a bench next to it.
Raven and Lloyd looked around in surprise at the new location they were in. They were floating just above the ground, and they flew higher up above the roofs to see where they were. They saw that the land they were on was large and in a circular shape, and that there were four main roads that led together to a cylinder-shaped tower that had a smaller cylinder tower on top of it. There was a wall around the tower that protected it and kept others from coming too close without permission, besides an opening in the front with a gate. They flew a little higher, and they saw that there were three islands that connected to the main island that they were on, and that there were crops and farmland on those islands. The fourth side where there was no island, instead had a broad wedge-like ramp that connected to the top of a flat topped mountain... a mountain?
'Lloyd... is this land in the sky?' Raven asked, as she slowly recognized the familiar land.
Lloyd noticed that clouds were almost right above their heads and that he could just reach up and touch them.
'Raven... I think this is Aeroplane,' Lloyd replied.
'You think so too?' Raven asked, as she looked towards him.
'Yes. Aeroplane is the only floating land that I know of, and even the way the other islands connect to it makes sense,' Lloyd replied.
'That mountain... That's Soaria mountain! It has to be,' Raven speculated, as she pointed towards the mountain that Aeroplane was connected to by the ramp.
'Woah... so Aeroplane used to look like this,' Lloyd said.
'Hey, what's going on over there?' Raven asked, as she saw some people gathering towards a certain location near the ramp.
'I don't know, but I feel like we're supposed to go over there,' Lloyd said, and Raven nodded.
Then they floated towards where the people were gathering, and they saw that the people were semi-circled around another group of people, who were packing boxes and items into two bullock carts that had straw tightened into round roofs on top of them and two oxes in the front. They were also packing some items into man-puller carts, and backpacks. The people who gathered around the group were helping the people pack, and the family members of the group who were packing were saying goodbye to them, as well as the people helping them.
Lloyd and Raven floated above the people and listened to what was going on, although the people didn't see or hear them at all.
'They can't see us,' Lloyd said.
'That's right. The Blue Light-Sphere is only able to show us what happened in the past, so they can't actually see us because we're not actually here,' Raven said, and Lloyd nodded.
'Hm... wait, we're supposed to see how the First Purple and Green Ninja became the first two right? And we're in Aeroplane of the past... so they should be here,' Lloyd said.
'I can't imagine how Darkness would have looked before, and we've never seen the First Green ninja. How are we supposed to find them?' Raven asked.
'I don't think we have to find them. I have a feeling that we'll see them soon. We'll just have to wait and watch,' Lloyd replied.
Then they turned their attention to the people before them.
A little boy and his mother stood looking at the group of people. Although they weren't family to the group, they were still waving goodbye and wishing the best for the travelers. The mother had brown hair that was loose to her shoulders and wore a black shirt with white pants and white shoes, with gold lipstick. The little boy had short blonde hair waved to the side, and he wore a white shirt with black pants and a golden belt. The mother held her son by his shoulders, and they would watch as the travelers were getting ready to go.
"You see, my boy. They are going to travel down to the land below and search for new food to grow here, and other types of meat from the animals down there too," the mother said in a warm voice.
"Will they be okay mommy?" The boy asked his mother.
"Oh don't worry sweety. They'll be alright. Half of them are hunters from the other mountain villages. They will protect the others," The mother reassured her son, and he nodded.
Lloyd looked at the boy for a moment longer, feeling as though he knew him from somewhere.
'What's the matter Lloyd?' Raven asked, noticing that he was staring at the boy with some concentration.
'I-I'm not sure. That kid looks familiar,' Lloyd replied.
'He does look like you when you were a kid,' Raven said with a small smile.
'Hm. Yeah, it's probably the hair though,' Lloyd said, and he smiled towards Raven.
Then they flew towards another side of the group, and they saw a young lady hugging her father, who was about to leave, along with her mother. The lady had straight blonde hair with bangs that swayed to the side of her forehead, and she wore a lime-green v-neck t-shirt with beige pants and black shoes. Her mother had blonde hair in a low braid with bangs, and she wore a malachite long-sleeved shirt with white borders on the shirt, and brown pants with black shoes. Her father had short light-brown hair with spiky bangs, and he wore an emerald-green shirt with a white scarf, and white pants with black shoes.
"Be safe dad. I'll miss you," the lady said after hugging her father.
"Aw. Don't worry about me Akemi. I'll come back home soon," her father said with a reassuring smile.
"Did you pack everything you need Akeno? Is there something your forgetting?" the mother of Akemi asked her husband.
"It's alright Midori. Everything is packed and I checked it twice," Akeno said to his wife, and she nodded.
"Come back soon love," Midori said to Akeno, and she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"I will lovely," Akeno said, and he kissed Midori back.
Then Akeno looked passed Akemi's shoulder, and his expression became more serious and he said,
"You'll take care of things around town while I'm gone, right my boy?"
"I will sir. Don't fret for a moment," a male voice said from behind Akemi, as she turned around.
The guy behind Akemi had black hair that reached downward to his shoulders with downward spiky bangs, and he wore a plum-colored shirt with two white buttons near the collar and gray pants with black shoes. Akemi smiled at him, as he smiled back at her, and then she gave him a hug.
"Oh Meir, you came too," Akemi said.
"Of course I would my dear. I wouldn't let you say goodbye alone. Besides, I might have to hold you back from following your father down anyway," Meir said, as he stroked Akemi's head.
Akemi released Meir as she pouted and said, "You know me too well."
Meir chuckled, as did Akeno and Midori. Then Akeno stood in front of Meir and placed his hand on his shoulder, and asked,
"I'm counting on you Meir. Take care of the guard post in my place, and look after my family while I'm gone. Can I trust that my future son-in-law will be able to handle these tasks?"
Meir nodded and replied, "I will Akeno. I won't let you down."
Akeno patted Meir on the shoulder, and then he turned to go with his group.
As Akemi and Midori watched Akeno walk away, Meir felt a tap on his shoulder as he turned around to see a man with black hair that was spiked up while his bangs were spiked downward just over his eyes, who wore a violet-blue shirt with black pants and purple shoes.
"Father, you came," Meir said with a smile to the man, his father.
"Hello my son. Did you say goodbye to Akeno?" His father asked.
"Yes I did. I'm going to be taking his post guarding the temple until he returns," Meir replied.
"Ah, that's nice of you Meir. I remember doing the same thing for him when he would take Midori out on a date. He would always ask me, 'Yahto, can you take my post so that I can go out with Midori today? If I can even ask her,'" His father, Yahto, said as he and Meir snickered.
"Well. I'm glad your here dad," Meir said, as he patted Yahto on the shoulder, and he nodded towards him.
'If that is his father. I wonder who is Meir's mother... unless she's not around. What do you think Lloyd?' Raven asked, as she turned towards Lloyd, who was staring at Akemi.
'Lloyd?' Raven asked.
'... Her voice... sounds familiar...' Lloyd said.
'You've heard her voice before? Where?' Raven asked.
'I'm not sure yet. Let's just keep watching,' Lloyd said, as he turned towards Raven, and she nodded towards him.
Then they flew to another side of the crowd.
There was a group of eight people who stood semi-circled around an elderly man with a green bamboo stick for a cane. The seven people were leaders of seven mountain regions of where their villages rested on. The eighth person was the leader of Aeroplane, and the elderly man was in charge of the temple. (I'm just gonna write their names and descriptions.)
Peter is a mountain leader with all black hair that was long in the front and short in the back. He wore a brown robe with a beige shirt and pants underneath, and black shoes.
Adara is a mountain leader with black hair and messy bangs while the rest of her hair was spiked down to her shoulders. She wore an open crimson blazer with a dark gray shirt under, and black pants and shoes.
Rai is a mountain leader with short, messy brown hair and sideburns. He wore a cerulean scarf and pants, with a white shirt and shoes, as well as a white sash around his waist.
Belia is a mountain leader with long blonde hair that reaches to her waist and two curls on the sides of her face. She wore a white dress that reached just above her ankles with white shoes, and periwinkle-colored stockings and a long sleeve shirt under the dress.
Makani is a mountain leader with blonde hair in a ponytail, while the bangs were curled inward, and she had a black streak on the left side of her hair from the bangs to the bottom of the rest of it. She wore a timber wolf-colored shirt with flowing sleeves and shoes, and cool gray pants. The ribbon that held her hair up was also cool gray.
Nami is a mountain leader with straight black hair in a heart-shape that reaches her waist. She wore an open teal jacket and shoes, with a turquoise dress that reached her ankles and shorts to her knees that weren't visible.
Kaage is a mountain leader with medium-blonde hair in a curtained haircut. He wore a black long-sleeved shirt, pants, and shoes, with a pumpkin-colored leather jacket that was sleeveless and a sash around his waist.
Lerato is the leader of Aeroplane with curly white hair that reaches his shoulders, and he wore a charcoal-colored bandana around his head and pants. He wore an aureolin-colored long-sleeved shirt and shoes, and he had white rings on the bottom half of his shirt's sleeves.
Elder Vidur is the elderly dude in charge of over-looking and watching over the temple, as well as the guards who watch the temple. He has short brown hair that almost swirls around his head in a bubble with gray streaks across it. He wore brown pants and shoes, with a gray long-sleeved shirt, and an open white jacket with white and gray fur on the edges of it. He also had a gray mustache that reached just below his chin, and he held the green bamboo stick as a walking stick that was a few inches taller than himself.
"Man, it's great to visit Aeroplane again. This place is looking awesomer every time I come here," Rai said, as he looked around the city.
"It is nicer. I like it," Adara said, as she flipped her hair with her hand.
"Thank you. We appreciate your kind words," Lerato said, as he looked towards Elder Vidur and nodded, as he nodded back.
"So, how long until they return from the ground floor?" Peter asked, as he put his hands on the back of his head.
"In three days they are scheduled to return," Elder Vidur replied.
"Only three days? They won't get very far," Nami said.
"Well, we wouldn't want them to stay down there for long. It's dangerous," Elder Vidur said.
"Will they be alright down there?" Belia asked with concern.
"I'm sure they'll be alright. Besides, some of our people are with them so they'll be okay," Makani replied.
"Yeah. There's nothing to worry about. Our people will take care of them, or I'll slap them around," Kaage said, as he crossed his arms.
"I'll slap my own people thank you very much, Kaage," Adara said, and Kaage shrugged.
"I'm sure their trip will go well," Elder Vidur said with a smile, and the Mountain leaders agreed.
"Okay. It's time for them to go," Lerato said, as he stepped forward.
"MY PEOPLES! AND OUR GUESTS PEOPLES!" Lerato called out to everyone there, as they turned towards him.
"I WISH YOU SAFE TRAVELS AS YOU GO TO THE LAND BELOW, AND THAT YOU RETURN SAFELY. WE SHALL WAIT EAGERLY FOR YOUR ARRIVAL. UNTIL THEN OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, STAY STRONG AND BE AWESOME!" Lerato said, as the crowd cheered.
Then the group of travelers grabbed their stuff and started heading down the ramp to Mount Soaria, as the other people waved goodbye. At one point, Meir had to hold onto Akemi so that she wouldn't run to her father. She pouted, but then she continued to wave goodbye to her father.
'So they went down... but it was dangerous to go down before,' Raven said.
'Yeah, but until the First Spin- I mean, until my grandfather changed the land below, it was dangerous,' Lloyd said.
Suddenly, a blue wave swept over everything around Lloyd and Raven, as they closed their eyes since they were blinded by the bright light of it. After the wave passed and Raven and Lloyd were able to open their eyes, they were surprised to see that the land changed and everything was dark. It was night in Aeroplane, and there weren't many people walking around. There were streetlights that were made of jars with light bugs inside of them that stood on bamboo poles.
'It's night,' Raven said, as she looked around and saw that they were in the same place near the ramp to Mount Soaria.
'Wait... did they come back?' Lloyd said, as he noticed the two bullock carts were parked near the ramp, and empty boxes were around them.
'It looks like it,' Raven said.
'Three days passed already… I guess that was the light wave we saw. But why at this time?,' Lloyd asked, more to himself.
'Let's go find out,' Raven said, and Lloyd nodded towards her.