Chapter 3: Desert exploration
After stoping Rolondo and the ghost leviathan the ex mercenaries were now visiting the loud manor to update Leopold on what has happened along to the other who weren't there at the moment as Striker served up supper…which wasnt very parable as Loona made a face "Uhh please tell me this isnt the stuff you served on the way to Atlantas?" She asked "You bet your sweet red eyes it is, now I told you ti would keep and keep and keep" he said as the others reluctantly looked at the slop as Ben shrugged "And now its your to eat and eat and eat" he said as the only one eating it was Hearing who had the stomach to eat it as everyone else enjoyed a normal meal as Maybery was talking on the radio.
"That's right Martha they showed me all around the city (Pause) yeah it broke there hearts but I needed my space Steve was too clingy" she said as Hearing fed Naruto one of the rock pieces as Adam noticed "Careful Hearing Magma foxes aren't used to such a varity in there diet" he said "Its only a few assorted silicates I been meaning to get rid of (eats one and shows his gums) its good for the gums" he said as the others winced at that as Adam saw Lucifer at the window as he walked over to his husband who was looking at the wintery and snowy outside, something he never got a chance to see in Aveyond "You know…its even more beautiful when the snow melts" said Adam as Lucifer smiled at his husband but he still felt worried "This time there was no leviathan…but how do we know there are not any more atlantian weapons or experiments out there?" He said sad and scared if Rolondo was one of the escaped investors…what else did his mother hid from him as he gently cluched his crystal.
"Maybe the crystal is TOO powerful, maybe it should remain burried" he said scared "But your people they've regained so much, could you put them in darkness again?" Asked Adam as Lucifer looked away and sighed worried about his people and for the surface after seeing what was created…could more be created.
"What are the chances of another gas leak in a Chinese laundry? So there goes my last flower shop a shame, but maybe I will try a laundry (Loona: that wont explode?) maybe" said Blitzo as Striker went to get his pot as the others looked at Naruto…and gave him the food who ate it enthusiastically as everyone chatted as Mayberry got a message on her radio "Excuse me" she started as Leopold talked to Adam and Lucifer "So I guess now that we know there's no Leviathan on the loose…(Mayberry: excuse me) you two will be heading back home to Aveyond" said Leopold as Blitzo chatted about making his laundry matt to also sell fireworks "But dont be in such a rush, take some time to see the world, plane fare is on me" said Leopold "That is very generous " said Adam as he sees that maybe its for the best for Lucifer to see more of the world before returning as Lucifer smiled at the idea to see the world.
Sighing the sinner demon turned on the speaker as it echoed "May I have your attention please? (Everyone stops talking and looks at her) thank you its . there's trouble in the southwest" she said "Southwest?" They asked confused "Yeah somewhere in texas" she said.
In the hot desert sands of Texus, Adam, Lucifer, Hearing, Naruto and Loona (Blitzo had to take care of some paperwork buisness back home) were in a clinic in a small town as Stolas talked with the group "Greg is a long time field agent of , he's best at dining up hard to find objects only this time something found him" said Stolas as he and Octavia were helping around the clinic "And you say that he mentioned killer hellhound like coyoties in a sandstorm?" Asked Adam as Octavia came with medicine "Not exactly he said its more of a sandstorm made up of hellhound coyotes made of sand, poor guy was banged up" said Octavia as Lucifer was confused "And this is unusual in your world?" Asked Lucifer "Oh yes more then a little bit especially with humans mixed in "but I dont understand why you wanted me here?" Asked Lucifer as Stolas pulled out a stone pendent "Because of this" he said as on closer look it had a Aveyond symbol on it "*Stunned* Adam, its Aveyonian, where did you find this?" He asked "You'll have to ask Greg" said Octavia pulling back a curtain showing a injured human still in bed as they studied him "I cant tell if he's breathing" said Loona "Meh perhaps he is dead" said Hearing "Oh he is just sleeping, after what he has been through I am sure he can use the rest" he said as Greg slowly woke up but got startled "AHH! Get away you furry carcass rats!" He yelled flipping at "Hay hay now was its ok , your safe now sent us" said Adam calming him down "Oh good man was, best man me and my husband ever scavenged for *To Adam* hay can you be a dear and fluff up my pillow" he asked "Sure" he said as he fluffed his pillow "Now how about a sip of water? My Gullets awful dry" he said "Sure here' said Lucifer as he gave a cup of water with a straw for him to drink from. As he winced "Geh got a little sleepy in the foot *Shows a slightly calloused and bumpy foot* uh would you mind giving it a rub?" He asked "Eww" said Loona as she stepped back "So you said that coyotes did this?" Asked Adam as Greg shook his head "Wanst ordinary coyotes they were cantankerous sand coyotes, there weren't a lick of wind all day…
Flashback
It shows a house seen at night as loud howling came from the mountains
Greg: but I sure heard it howling up on the mesas that night, I was grateful that Justin was busy with his sisters father in laws funeral in England that he avoided this
As he narrated the sands reforming a red eye as hellhound coyotes seem to form growling and looking down.
Greg: I thought I was loco when I saw them dust devils materializing in the moon light
They ran around howling and screaming and circling the home wanting something.
Greg: Their red eyes like to burn a hole right through my soul. Came screamin' off that ridge like a pack of ghosts.
They headed toward the shack that was locked in hopes to block it but they kept at it
Greg: I ran back to my shack and bolted the door. I figured I'd be safe if I stayed inside. I was wrong.
The coyote spirits swarmed together, engulfing the shack, howling hauntingly snarling biting and more as if wanting to get in
End of Flashback
"Scratched me up like a two-sizes-too-small wool sweater on a hot afternoon, but again I was glad Justin was away to not suffer the same fate as me *Holds up a jar* luckily I had plenty of bacon grease to rub all over my raw hide to ease the chiffon, a word of advice never go into a sandstorm even with goggles it stings" he said as a few winced at that as a nurse came in "Dinnertime *Sees the bacon crease* what have we told you about the bacon grease?" She chasted him on that "Works better then what you half angels have to fix hem up *Whispers to the others* I stood a better chance with them coyotes" he said "And yet your husband fussed at you for getting sand blasted' Said Octavia "Is he going to be alright?" Asked Lucifer "Oh yes we're moving him to the hospital in scottsdale where he'll be their problem and where his husband will pick him up" she said leaving the supper for Greg to eat it "*Studies the necklace* so where did you find this?" Asked Adam as Greg munched on his meal. "In a pot" he said "What pot?" Asked Loona "In a crate" he responded "What crate?" Asked Hearing "In my shack"
All: what shack?
Later the group reached the familiar shack as they looked around "The ghosts did all of this?" Asked Loona "Looks like it" said Octavia as there was sand everywhere "Hmmm, not surprised this is where he lives, you saw how he eats and treats himself? Lives like he eats…sloppy and free" said Stolas studying around "Maids day off huh?" Said Loona as Hearing tasted the sand inside with a pondering look "Humm Quartz, uh, silicate, mixed with local clay. (looking) Mm, uh, slightly nutty to the taste. *Shrugs* Nothing unusual" he said as Lucifer patted the window "Everything seems to have been rubbed smooth, even the windows are etched from the sand?" He said curious and confused
"Greg said they were sand cyote hellhounds *Looks down* there is lots of sand, but no hellhound coyotes, no paw prints, its weird and peculiar" said Stolas as the group saw a mark in the sand that looked like it had a crate in that spot "Looks like the creates…
Back at the hospital the human cowboy listens on a phone his eyes widened in shock "Mission? Dang blame it! I know just what varmint done and took it too, it be that shifty-eyed back stabbing imp rattlesnake, no offense to normal imps, Wally Wackford" said Greg
It changes to a ranch marked 'Wackfords ranch trading post" as the vehicles arrived
Gregs voice: he runs a trading post outside of town, you best be careful he's slicker then a sweaty toad in a rainstorm always looking for the next big thing to purchase or sell
They soon stepped out of the vehicles as some people were glancing at them especially naruto "Lets look around a little first, we dont know for certain that this Wackford guy took Gregs crate" said Adam as Naruto jumped onto Adam as he was licked "Ach no Naruto stay! Stay!" He said as a old couple noticed with the old man gasping as his camera was swipped by Naruto who held it in his paws…and ate it "He is Japanese, bred to eat about anything trust me" covered Stolas
Inside the shop there was many diffrent types of objects as well as toys for younger children "Look at these pieces some of these items must be at least hundreds of years old" said Adam with a critical eye as Octavia and Loona boardly picked up a toy bow and arrow "Oh look an antique" said Loona firing it "How droll" said Octavia as the arrow swooped pass Hearing as he yelped in surprise as Lucifer looked around and saw some antiques in glass cases "How are people to use these things if they are locked behind glass?" He said curious "Its for protection" said Adam "I know what the spear is for but why it is in a glass case?" Confused as he never seen anything like a glass case "No the glass case is for protection" said Adam as Lucifer tilted his head cutely "Whouldent the spear be better protection than a glass case?" He asked "*Stutteres a bit* yes-uh no! Its not there to protect from someone who might want to steal it" said Adam as Lucifer had a … face "Why would someone want to stay a glass case?" And cue a face fault from some of the group as Hearing had his own focus on as he studied one of the quartz items in his hand "Calcified limestone more than 25 million years old...(licks it) from the Cenozoic Era. (Puts it back and sniffs a pot) Hydrated aluminium silicates (licks pot) with basalt found primarily in the southern Colorado River Basin" he said impressed and grabbed a third object and bit into it as he winched "Gah plastic! *Tosses it* bleck" he said as Naruto catches and eats the plastic pot with no problem.
Looking around Lucifer noticed a small figurine with markings as he gently took it and smiled "Adam look its it looks like a Aveyonian guardian" he said as Adam studied it "Well not exactly its been modified by Matorian design" said Adam "Either way I am buying it" said Lucifer in determination "I say that is what I like to hear" said a male voice as a slender imp like salesman with a thin mustache sundered over "Because I want to sell it *Points at the figureine* wally wackford at your service, now that painting is of the crystal guardian who came from the earth in a glowing fire of yellows and gold, he was a great teacher and the healer of the sick or so the legend goes" said Wally "*Holding it* how much is it?" Asked Lucifer wanting the figurine "Humm well that is a museum class piece" said Wally "I bet such a item has a museum-class price to go with it too" he said "Its rare and I had offers" said Wally as Lucifer held out a large wad of money to the imp "Is this enough?" He asked as Adam gahhed "Luci that-thats a lot" started/stumbled Adam as Wally grinning took the money "Sold! *counts the moeny* one crystal guardian and stuff" he said
"So where exactly do you get all your artifacts?" Asked Adam as Wally put away the money as he seemed to eyes shift "Well uh…here and there but the older pieces are 100% authentic I assure you" he said "Oh I dont doubt that at all" said Octavia "Well we are looking for a crate that may have been taken from Greg Sanders" said Adam as Wally glanced at the group "Who are you people?" He asked suspicously "We are associate of Greg sanders and he's asked us to help locate a missing crate" said Stolas as Wally just focused on getting things organized 'Uh cant help you Greg has a tendency to tell stories the same with his husband, I think when his husband goes to England on his job he gets lonely out there in the desert" said Wally "So you dont know anything about it?" Asked Loona suspiciously as the imp crossed his arms "If Standards lost a crate of pottery that's not my problem *Notices hearing licking the pots* what in the name of Mammon are you doing?" He demanded 'Sampling the bowl its very nice *Shows the bowl* would you like some?" He asked…and cue the group leaving before it could get heated.
"Well…that could had gone better" said Stolas "He has to be lying, I have a bad feeling" said Loona as they head to the car not knowing a hellhound made of sand was watching the group as it vanished on the wind.
The vehicle drove down the desert as Adam ponder "Does it strike anyone as odd that Wackford knows the missing crate had pottery" said Octavia "yeah because I never mentioned what was in it" said Adam which was true "You are right" said Lucifer as they got more suspicious "I dont trust that Wackford he is shifty even for a imp, dont like him one bit, didnt like his attitude didnt like his shifty little eyes, eyes are the windows to the soul you know?" Said Stolas
As they drove down the road they passed by what looks like a almost mechanical like sinner but with a poncho covering his body and a red mask as dust kicked up "Huh a hitchhiker?" Said Octavia "Leave him" said Stolas as Hearing grinned leaning into Lucifer "How would you like to gaze into the windows of my soul?" He asked as Lucifer pushed his eyes as Loona noticed the same Toa sinner "Hay did we just past by that guy?" Asked Loona as they passed by a similar figure "Perhaps they are brothers?" Asked Lucifer as Loona stopped seeing the toa a third time "Twice is a coincidence but three times? I think someones trying to tell us something" said Stolas as Adam peeked out "Uh…hello can we offer you a ride? Its a long walk to anywhere" said Adam a bit of a stumble tone "My name is Valkama and yes a rid would be welcome" said the now named Valkama with a bow.
Later the group road on as Hearing and Naruto played a bit in the back "Uh he is uh japanese" said Adam a bit nervous as Valkama smiled gently "I am familiar with all of natures creatures *Gently pats Narutos head* this one is also known to me" he said giving the lava of a clay rock as he happily ate it. "Umm you wouldn't happen to have a twin or two would you?" Asked Stolas curious "There are many matorian males and females who walk alone in the desert and we all at tiemes tend to look the same to the eyes of outsiders" he said as he saw the figurine Lucifer held "Ah the crystal guardian our great teacher and protector, he revealed many secrets to the Matorian *Gently points to the symbols* the path of the stars, the time to plant, how to heal themselves and like the crystal guardian…we will also protect our sacred beliefs from outsiders" he said in a serious tone as he continued as gathered outside was what looked like the sand hellhounds and hellhound coyotes as first they ran on two legs and then as if merging into the sand on all fours coming to the vehicles as the group noticed in shock.
"Those who would plunder our lands to betray our secrets…will answer to the ancient forces of the desert" he said his eyes glowing red as howling were heard strong and loud as the group saw them coming creating a sandstorm "A sandstorm? Where did that come from?" Asked Loona as she tried to keep the car in control "We are being followed!" Said Hearing gasping as the sand coyotes and hellhounds attacked as "There are ancient powers that will make certain our secrets are kept…and YOU more then anyone should understand this" he said looking at Lucifer as the group were worried as more crashed into the van "They are trying to drive us off the road!" Yelled Loona trying to keep the van straight as the window was smashed "Ah shit I jsut put in that windshield" said Loona as the group noticed Valkama was gone! "Hes gone!" Yelled Adam "How? Where could she go!?" Asked Lucifer "People we got bigger problems, there in here with us!" Yelled Stolas as they screamed as the sand hellhounds entered the van through the air conditioners some screamed as Hearing tried to swat one of them away "No dust doggies go away" he yelled blowing on them as the vehicle went off the road as they screamed as it went dark.
Authors note: well that was intense as Valkama wants to keep his clans secrets from harm
Next chapter the gang confront Wally on what he had stolen and to persuade him to return the pottery to quell the angery spirits anger.