Chapter 20- the meeting
As soon as everyone present had taken their seats on the white Sky grass with many of them eating the snacks made for them by Galassia, the Seven Sisters and their helpers (such as Sky Whale and Cloud Sheep meat sandwiches) and the large blackboard on an easel has been set up for outdoor use, the meeting went ahead. Cielo went to the front of the gathered crowd, Bentley the Giant and Ozone the Cloud-Man sticking up from them like tall buildings from a jungle of smaller ones due to their size, and called for their attention. Once all eyes were on him, the head Acqua opened the session with a greeting.
"Morning everyone," called he, "Thank you all for coming," he then turned to Quaoar, Obi Wan and their group, "And thank you lot for making it all the way up here to the Sky Domain from your home Domain, the Land and finding our village and home and thanks to Xenon for guiding you to here the next time he calls you. I have sent one of my Martlet servants, Flutter, to contact him via the crystalline communicator to explain to him what we are currently doing and to provide updates."
"It was thanks to Obi Wan and his team for lending us their Flying Saucer to transport us to the Sky Domain without the use of the Bifrost Transporter," said Quaoar with a nod to the lead Grey Man who nodded in agreement.
"We wouldn't have been able to use the Bifrost to get here anyway as you will know, Kurama has completely restricted its use," added Naihanchi. Cielo and the others with him nodded in agreement.
"Indeed he has, you two," said the lead Acqua, "And that's another thing to thank Xenon for as well. Kurama has rendered Asgard Sky City FAR too dangerous to access to outsiders and isn't hesitant to kill anyone that dares even approach its very outskirts like what almost happened to Raterpillar's group..."
Ozone and Glitterwing shuddered. They all knew too well just how dangerous Kurama's watcher group was. Cielo also acknowledged the Cloud-Man and Cherub for managing to slip past Kurama's watcher force as well before proceeding to the chase. Near him, the red and green Kotobuki, Yong Bao walked in.
"As you can see and have been told, we have been carrying out intensive spy work around the area of Asgard Sky City, venturing within a few dekas of the closed-off area, together with Ombro the Fiery Bat-Bird Winged Dragon and his team," Cielo continued, "And we have been collecting a LOT of pieces of important information."
As he said this, Quaoar raised his paw.
"Go ahead," said Cielo.
"Um, we've been doing some investigations of our own as well, before we set off for here," Quaoar replied before turning to Obi Wan and his group. Nearby, Crasher Wake the Star Man gazed at the Martlets and the Flying Rods as they looked through some important pieces of paper and slabs.
"And so have Obi Wan and his team," Quaoar added.
"We've been examining Asgard from our Flying Saucer and have used its cloaking device," explained Obi Wan, "We've been wondering why the city had suddenly decided to close off its bordrers to the rest of the Skylands and other Domains."
"Additionally," added Crasher Wake, "Quaoar's twin sister Siveth who is also a Nine-0Tailed Kitsumiho, was supposed to have arrived on the Narnian Moon to be a temporary teacher to the younglings in some schools about the real Aslan and Narnia's true history but she had never turned up for so long, not even via long-range communication like the distance-verbal route or the crystalline screen route."
Cielo and his family and servants flinched a little. The Seven Sisters exchanged looks.
"Siveth?" said Merope.
"We've met her before," said Alcyone.
"That was when we were only Acqua kids," added Electra.
"She was one of our mentors," put in Caleno.
"I think she was Eight-Tailed and was travelling to various places in the Narnian world," said Maia.
"I remember her mentioning that she had a twin brother, also a Kitsune/Kumiho hybrid," added Taygeta.
"She taught us a variety of things," added Sterope, "From the basics of weaving to about Aslan."
"Indeed she has," said Galassia before her green-eyed gaze moved to her two older sons and brothers of the Seven Sisters, Proteus and Hippocamp, "And she educated our boys about Aslan too."
"We believe she may have been taken hostage by Kurama when he took over Asgard Sky City and while she was on her way to the Narnian Moon," said a Lumino, "And we believe she may still be there even now."
"We've never got a glimpse of her, however," said Glitterwing.
"But we sure hope she is alright," added Ozone. Quaoar then lowered his head and ears sadly. Then the Kotobuki, Yong Bao, took over from Cielo.
"That's one of the conclusions I and my spy force team have also drawn," said he. His voice was deep and fierce, typical of a war veteran and he was one indeed, especially based on his chipped Ox's horns and battle scars in his pelage. Yong Bao's Rat's head then travelled to a group of Flying Rods who were a part of his spy force, that team lead by a White Flying Rod, "Prism-Fins and his team found that out by spying on a group of Yellow Homunculi, Blue Homculettes and a rogue Fenghen (female Fenghuang) and they overheard them talking about some Nine-Tailed Vixen and her 'stupidity' while they were up to something..."
The moment Quaoar heard the Kotobuki mention 'Nine-Tailed Vixen', relief washed over home like a refreshing wave.
"That's good to know," he sighed, "Thank Aslan..."
"Is Siveth alright?" asked Aang, the others looking on hopefully.
"I hope so," said the White Flying Rod named Prism-Fins as he hovered with his shining white cuttlefish mantle-like fins waving at the air from his head to his tail, "But based on what we've picked up from that rogue Fenghen (Chroma Nerada I think her name was) as she was talking with that group of rogue Homunculi and Homunculettes and in a scornful, mocking manner, we deduced that Siveth could be under severe oppression like most of the other citizens Kurama had taken captive in Asgard to force his cult down their throats."
"And they are also forcing Siveth to be one of the teachers of Kurama's false Aslan in addition," said one of the Yellow Flying Rods part of Prism-Fins' team, a female. Shock made Quaoar and his group but especially Quaoar, flinch.
"Prism-Fins, that's VERY serious," said Naihanchi.
"It is indeed," said Yong Bao, "But on with this discussion. You told us that you have been doing your own investigations regarding Kurama and his cult and activities on the Land Domain with Obi Wan and his group. Would you like to tell us what you've managed to uncover?"
Immediately, Quaoar went first. Cielo, the Seven Sisters and their brothers, Triton and his family, Momotaro, Saru, Inu, Kiji and the others with them cocked their ears as the Kitsumiho began.
"So, yes, we have been doing some investigations of our own back down on the Land," Quaoar opened, "Two of the things we have been investigating are these Wish Potions and groups of Talking Beasts attacking humans. We have managed to uncover answers about the Wish Potions with Naihanchi and Moana there," he nodded to the colourful Nekomata and Azure Dragoness, "and their chemical team carrying out some investigations on what was left of one of the potions one of our young Cheetah members in our community had purchased and we came to the conclusion that it was made from the Garden of Youth apples... or the progeny of them."
"Spot the Cheetah buying that potion wasn't an isolated incident," said Naihanchi, taking over the explanation, "A Budgie from another community brought a report of three more cases from another community involving these Wish Potions. One was an Otter widower who wanted to see his wife again and he drank this horn of the stuff (the Wish Potion came in these metallic cornucopia-like horns) but he was eventually driven mad by the negative consequences that came with his heart's desire; the only thing he got was an apparition of his wife generated from his mind by the potion..."
"That's what we and Raterpillar's team from Ombro's spy group found out while we were carrying out our spy trips," said Momotaro. As he said this, Saru took out a notepad from his satchel and began to jot down what Quaoar and Naihanchi explained.
"Did you eventually find out that this egregious Wish Potion was from the Garden of Youth apples and who was behind them?" asked Yong Bao.
"We did," said Moana, "We saw with our very own eyes that Shenron, my brother and who was supposed to have been the secondary Guardian of the Garden of Youth, was indeed the culprit behind these detestable Wish Potions. We then visited the Garden of Youth and met the replacement secondary Azure Dragon Guardian, Salamander, and he explained everything to us."
"Shenron had been pilfering from Aslan's Garden of Youth and was eventually driven from his role by the Lion himself," said Thunderbolt the Raiju, "However, that didn't stop him from continuing to make and sell these Wish Potions despite suffering serious consequences such as a dishevelled appearance. We believe that the only explanation for the continuation of these Potions was that he was able to take some apples to plant."
"We even handed a cornucopia horn to Salamander for examination and to report to Aslan before we departed to here," said Obi Wan.
Yong Bao drifted into thought while the Seven Sisters discussed amongst themselves. Nearby, Triton, Azula and their sons also discussed among themselves.
"The apples from Aslan's Apple Orchard are capable of producing progeny trees if planted," said Alcyone, "I know the Tree of Protection was one such tree, planted by the legendary Son of Adam Digory Kirke at Aslan's command."
"Raterpilar the Wapaloosie and his team and one Curupira and Dwarf spy team have been trying to track down these theoretical progeny trees but to no avail," said Momotaro, "But the theory still stands. If Shenron is indeed making these illegal Wish Potions from any progeny tree that he may have planted, then we will need to go on a search-and-destroy quest to destroy them."
"We'll get to that later, Momotaro," said Yong Bao as Saru finished writing down the important information. Then Galassia gazed at Quaoar, Obi Wan and company with a VERY serious look on her face.
"That explains everything," she said, "We have had one incident of those shining horn things containing some liquid said to grant your biggest wish in our very village. It was a Jaculus and he had purchased one of these horns and had drunk the entire container. His biggest wish was to be cured of a permanent disease and though he got what he wanted from this insidious potion, he ended up EXTREMELY miserable and UTTERLY restless."
"Indeed," said Yong Bao, "We have even sent one or two of our spy teams to the Land Domain to do some investigations and they had managed to uncover one or two more incidences of these Wish Potions. However, they could not track the source or who was responsible for selling these illegal potions or how they had made them, so I would like to thank you guys for bringing us the answers we had been looking for," he then moved onto the next subject, "And regarding the Talking Beast groups attacking humans down on the Land Domain?"
"They're DEFINITELY from Kurama and his cult group," said Morla, "We battled a group of them while we were talking to our King and his men and we saw that same group go to the Transport Pad for the Bifrost Transporter with more rogue Talking Beasts and also Shenron from Obi Wan's Flying Saucer."
Yong Bao and company flinched when they heard this and the Kotobuki shot Cielo a serious look.
"Well, that certainly answers one VERY important question," said he, "We need to contact Ombro about this."
"Indeed," said Cielo before he turned to Glint to command the Yellow Flying Rod to contact Ombro via distance-verbal (DV) communicator to report to him all that Quaoar and company had told them and immediately, the Flying Rod left to do just that. After Glint had flown off to carry out the task, Cielo turned back to the group.
"Well, I would like to thank you lot for bringing in the answers you have uncovered yourselves on the way here and helping us in our investigations, even if you weren't aware of the existence of our spy forces," said he, "Now that these important subjects have been dealt with and are out of the way, let's finally move onto the main course of this meeting: the crisis in Asgard Sky City itself."
One of the Meerkats began to mutter something under his breath but his captain hissed at him to pay attention and he obediently did as Cielo continued, "As I or our servants told you earlier, we have been unable to access Asgard Sky City to do our usual activities there such as me preaching in the Gathering House about the true Aslan, my nephew Crab-Claws there," he nodded to one of the young male Acquas sitting near Triton and Azula, his parents, and his four brothers, "had been unable to see his patients that live in that city such as Cloudy the Slugcat who is born blind, crippled and with a deadly internal condition that can only be managed with certain medication or fire flower cordial..."
Glitterwing and Ozone exhaled when they heard Cielo mention the poor young Slugpup. Worries for him and his family boiled in their minds but they put that aside and gazed at Cielo as he continued. Near him, Prism-Fins the White Flying Rod hovered to the blackboard with a piece of chalk in one of his fins ready to write.
"We cannot even use the Sky Cart to travel to Asgard as that has been disabled by the wicked Kurama," Cielo continued, "And Kurama himself seemed to have turned the city into a sort of base for his evil cult. From that cult, evil things and practices have stemmed such as the 'human hunting parties' consisting of Talking Beasts going to the Land Domain to hunt humans like dumb animals, which goes in direct violation of the Great Lion's command that they NOT act like their dumb counterparts, and the selling of these Wish Potions made from, as we now know thanks to you, from the Garden of Youth apples, the Nine-Realms Potion ingredient of the Land domain, or their progeny, and that Shenron is behind these potions..." he then nodded to Yong Bao the Kotobuki to take over and so the noble Chimeric Beast did. Before he could do that, however, he had Glitterwing and Ozone leave the group to talk to one of the lead Talking Falcon part of his spy force separately while he continued with the rest of the group. After all, the Cherub and the Cloud-Man were escapees from Kurama's base and he wanted to gather important information about him and the cult and they were an excellent source. Obediently, the pair stood up and left the group to go off with the Falcon who possessed a notepad and a pen to jot down their answers. After Ozone and Glitterwing left with the Falcon, Yong Bao continued with the others.
"Over the past year or so, we have sent spy groups to the area of Asgard to gather information as to why it suddenly closed itself off from the rest of the Skylands and the Narnian world by extension," explained he, "However, as we have explained before, none of them have actually been IN Asgard due to the serious dangers Kurama has set up such as his watcher force, many, if not all, of them armed with dangerous weapons such as phasers and Electroshroom bombs. One experienced spy and group leader, Raterpillar the Wapaloosie, as we have told you, have suffered HORRIFIC injuries from a blast from one of the latter weapons and is now unable to continue his job. However, he and his team have managed to get quite close to the outskirts of Asgard Sky City before having to make a hasty escape from Kurama's watchers. During the escape, Raterpillar was hit with an Electroshroom bomb and is gravely injured. Though he had survived the blast (miraculously), he had lost his back legs and tail. He is in our medical building and now has no choice but to retire from spy work."
As he said this, Momotaro walked in to take over for a bit. Yong Bao stood aside as the Peach Elf opened his explanations.
"Inu, Kiji, Saru, myself and our steed Stingray are the latest spy group to face an Electroshroom bomb from Kurama's underlings as well," said he, "We were on a spy trip last night and we were investigating what appeared to be a scout group from Kurama's cult hunting for something. They were lead by a rogue Wampus Cat named Nero and unfortunately, had to escape as well, we faced an Electroshroom bomb thrown at us by one of their underlings but we managed to narrowly escape getting blasted thanks to our steed Stingray."
Quaoar and the others, especially Obi Wan and his Narnian Moon group, winced.
"It's a miracle you managed to escape losing an arm or a leg to that lethal explosion of electricity," said Crasher Wake.
"Or your lives," added one of the Luminos.
"Had we not had our trusty Arrow-Tongue steed Stingray with us, we would have likely either ended up lime Raterpillar or worse," said Saru with a serious look, Momotaro nodding in agreement.
"Arrow-Tongues are immune to most elemental blasts," explained the Peach Elf, "They can even escape death from the blast of an Electroshroom bomb but the blast is still powerful enough to stun them."
"And we also had our Urulite weapons on us," put in Kiji before he nodded to Momotaro, "Momotoro there had his Urulite shield. Urulite can also protect against powerful blasts like Electroshroom bomb explosions."
"What's Urulite?" asked Scuttle, another Meerkat.
"We'll get to that later," said Momotaro, "Though we and also some other spy teams from both Yong Bao and Ombro's groups have had quite narrow escapes from those dangerously armed watchers and scouts of Kurama, we have managed to uncover some VERY DISTURBING THINGS and it's not just the things you lot managed to uncover answers to."
"Do you believe that Kurama might be planning on where he would like to take his wicked cult next?" asked Quaoar. Immediately, Yong Bao returned to further explain.
"When Kurama took over Asgard Sky City and set it up as a closed-off base for his evil false Aslan cult," the Kotobuki continued, "We initially thought that he would just stop there. However, based on the information our spies had gathered, we realise that this is likely not so."
"We believe that he may be planning to expand his cult from Asgard to indoctrinate more Creatures into his false Aslan cult," said Prism-Fins the White Flying Rod as he drew some pictures on the blackboard. In the centre was a rudimentary drawing of Asgard Sky City surrounded by a circle to represent its closing off from the rest of the Narnian world, "What motivated the wicked Kitsune into starting this cult was ostensibly from some sort of vision quest he had on the Land Domain but we can't be sure for certain. But we do know ONE thing, ESPECIALLY if we know the REAL Aslan's REAL Book of Narnia: the REAL Aslan would NEVER EVER tell ANYONE to start a cult in his name, especially if it consists if teachings that go AGAINST his commands such as Talking Beasts behaving like dumb animals."
"Like what you managed to uncover back on the Land Domain," said Cielo to which Quaoar, Obi Wan and some of the others nodded in agreement.
"Those 'hunting' groups were even taking some humans captive to take through the Bifrost Transporter alive," added Moana, "And as we all know, the Bifrost Transporter is lethal to humans and any attempt from them to transport through it always ends in death on the other side."
"And we believe that Shenron's group as well as the survivors of the rogue Talking Beast group we attacked to defend our king and his men aren't the first ones to take live humans through the Transporter either," added Gris who sat next to Obi Wan.
"One of the barbaric practices of Kurama and his cult I believe," said Yong Bao disgustedly. Cielo and the others nodded in agreement. Then Orchid asked the next question.
"You said you uncovered some very disturbing information during your spy trips, especially you during your trip last night, eh, Momotaro?" asked the Golden-Egg Goose.
"We did, yes, but it is not the selling of Wish Potions or capturing unwilling outsiders to import into Asgard to be forcefully indoctrinated into Kurama's cult," said Momotaro seriously, "That has happened a few times but it is uncommon."
As he said this, Kiji received a device from Yong Bao. It was an ovoid device and it took pictures like a camera but in the form of simply sketched images.
"But the victim that the group lead by Nero had captured last night was not just ANY outsider," said the Pheasant, "It was one of the seven Arcobalenopods, the Blue one to be exact."
Immediately, horror tore through most of Quaoar and Obi Wan's groups and many of them flinched. Some, such as Bentley, however, had not heard of these creatures.
"What's an Arco-something, something?" asked Bentley in a low voice to avoid shaking the air with his thunderous voice. Immediately, Prism-Fins cleared a space on the blackboard and began to draw an image of a creature as Yong Bao launched into an explanation of what the Arcobalenopods were.
"The seven Arcobalenopods are powerful creatures created by the Lion King Aslan to be protectors and guardians against evil, sort of how the Rainbow Serpent protects the Narnian Sun. However, they are FAR more powerful than the Rainbow Serpent as they are designed to protect a wider area of the Narnian world, normally the Sky Domain. They usually live apart from each other but in the event of a major crisis, they can be gathered together to help defend against that crisis."
As Yong Bao explained the Arcobalenopods, Prism-Fins finished drawing an image of one on the blackboard. The creature had a rounded head, short antennae, big eyes and three appendages extending below the head.
"They look something like this and they are each an incarnation of the seven colours of the rainbow, Aslan's signature and creation," explained the White Flying Rod with a gesture of his undulating fins, one of them grasping a piece of chalk at the front, to the drawing of the Arcobalenopod on the board, "They look something like you'd find in the Eastern Sea like a squid or a Kraken but they are VERY different from those sea creatures aside from the fact that they live in the air."
"Indeed," said Yong Bao, "The seven Arcobalenopods are ALWAYS on the Lion King's side and utterly ABHOR evil like the Lion does. However, they can be forcefully coerced into doing evil by evil individuals and the way they often do that is through severe abuse and coercion."
"The Arcobalenopods were NEVER meant to be used for evil purposes," said Cielo, "And it is a command from Aslan that they NEVER be used for such purposes. Anyone at ALL who disobeys commits a sin that is as great as a secondary Guardian pilfering from Aslan's Garden of Youth for their own evil use."
"Or misuses ANY of the other Nine-Realms Potion ingredients such as the lunar mushrooms on our home the Narnian Moon," said Obi Wan.
"Yes," said Yong Bao, "And there are DEADLY consequences to those perpetrators," the Kotobuki then lowered his Rat's head and Hares ears, "I was really hoping that Kurama would repent of his cult but based on Momotaro's report that one of his scout groups had captured the Blue Arcobalenopod last night and has plans on catching the other six, we realised that he has possibly crossed the point of NO return."
"Why would Kurama want those seven such powerful creatures?" asked Quaoar.
"We don't know but we believe that he wants to use them to possibly expand his cult," said Cielo, "There may be a deeper reason why he wants those seven powerful creatures. But as you see, those seven Arcobalenopods are like living versions of the seven Swords of Aslan back in the Land Domain. If they are all gathered, they can unleash their true power. If that power is used by the wrong hands or paws, the results can be disastrous. That is what we want to stop Kurama from doing, especially if he wants to further his wicked false Lion cult."
Then worry welled within Quaoar and company but then Cielo went on.
"We also want to stop Kurama from continuing in his evil plans," said the head-of-the-house Acqua man, "but we're gonna need your help, especially from you, Quaoar."
Immediately, Quaoar and some of the others including Naihanchi and Moana looked up and shot Cielo a look.
"You see, we're dealing with an INCREDIBLY rogue Talking Beast here," the Acqua continued, "A Kitsune in his Nine-Tailed form. Nine-Tailed Magical Foxes are among the most powerful Talking Beasts in Narnia, exceeded only by certain creatures like the Arcobalenopods, the Rainbow Serpent and of course, Aslan himself who is the most POWERFUL being in ALL of Narnia. Nine-Tailed Foxes are armed with DEADLY abilities, knowledge and are known to be EXTREMELY wise and cunning. Kurama is likely to possess these qualities but is using them for evil instead of good, so to even the field; we will need a Nine-Tailed Fox on our side to help out."
As Cielo said this, Quaoar pushed aside his worry and fears. After all, he had his own personal quests to carry out, one in particular.
"Don't worry, Cielo," said he, "I'm more than happy to help. After all, my sister Siveth is in DIRE trouble and I want to rescue her."
"She'll have been trapped and oppressed by that evil Kitsune for so long, anyway," put in Naihanchi.
"But the question is, who will be going on this quest to shut down Kurama's cult and stop him from catching all seven of the Arcobalenopods?" asked Morla. Immediately, Cielo stood up.
"You will have to discuss that amongst yourselves," said he, "But I recommend that the most powerful and skilled members of your group go while some of you stay behind to help Yong Bao and by extension Ombro with analysing any information the other spy teams bring back from their trips," he turned his gaze to Quaoar, "But Quaoar, you are a MUST need for the trip."
Immediately, Quaoar took his GC sword and slung it over his back so that he carried it, the strap passing in front of his chest. Metres away, the Falcon continued interviewing Ozone and Glitterwing. Then Quaoar began to decide who will go with him and who will stay with Cielo to help Yong Bao and his spy team.
"I'm gonna have Naihanchi go with me," said the Kitsumiho, "and also Morla, Moana, Aang, Crimsonandil, Adamans and Iridia, Thunderbolt the Raiju..." he nodded to the named members of his group. He also made the decision that Spock the Pegasus, Caesium the Chroma Cat, Orchid the Golden-Egg Goose, Heather the Gold-Fleeced Ewe, Bentley the Giant, the Meerkats and also Red the Scarlet macaw will go with him on the quest. Then Momotaro, Inu, Kiji and Saru made their decision.
"We're gonna go with you too," said the Peach Elf, his Pheasant, Dog and Macaque friends nodding in agreement.
"Yes and we'll bring Stingray with us," added Kiji the Pheasant.
"He will be useful for the journey," said Saru.
"Stingray?" asked Caesium.
"We'll introduce you to him a little later," said Momotaro, "In the meantime, we still have a few things to discuss."
"Okay," said Quaoar. He then turned to Obi Wan and his group.
"Obi, are you coming with us too?" asked he to the lead Grey Man.
"Glitterwing and Ozone will be," said Obi Wan, "but the rest of us will stay behind and help Cielo and his group."
"However, I would like to come," said Weywot the Insect Rabbit-Dog. The others shot the blue creature a look.
"But Weywot, this is an EXTREMELY dangerous quest," said Naihanchi.
"Yes, we're going face to face with a Nine-Tailed Fox!" put in Aang, "And you KNOW full WELL how powerful they are."
However, Weywot was adamant and in the end, Quaoar and company, those who were going, relented and let the Insect Rabbit-Dog into the team.