Ashton: *He caught up with Lance and Alicia and looked behind him.* (It's chasing us!)
Lance: *He ran as fast as he could through the cave, closing his eyes in desperation.* (I swear, I better not effin' slip at a time like this.)
Alicia: *She ran out of the tunnels and continued to run through the cave towards the exit.* "I-I can feel that huge Scoldrant's footsteps!"
Ashton: "D-Don't think about it." *He ran behind Alicia, as he hid his fear.*
Lance: *He looked behind him and gasped.* "That black dog thing is right behind us!"
Alicia: "O-Oh no!"
Ashton: *He noticed the footstep-like thuds on the ground, become louder and heavier.* (Is it getting closer?)
Holland: "It sounds like that metal Scoldrant is now running." *He looked back, completely ignoring the black Scoldrant.*
Alicia: *She rapidly took deep breaths.* "I see the exit."
*Boulder sized rocks fell from the ceiling, smashing next to the party.*
Lance: "Nearly!-" *He grunted with hope, as he jumped over a boulder which smashed on the ground.*
Holland: "Don't stop! Keep running."
*The party was blinded by bright sunlight, as they ran out of the cave and continued through The Igloo Forest.*
Alicia: "We should run South towards the direction of The Library!"
Ashton: "Sounds great!"
Alicia: "O-Okay." *She looked up and suddenly changed directions.*
Ashton: (I can't feel the footsteps on the ground any more.) "I think it stopped following us."
Holland: *He ran onto a dirt path, slowing down to catch his breath.* "We should be fine now." *He mumbled in a deep voice.*
Alicia: "We're back on the path?" *She smiled in amazement, taking deep breaths.*
Lance: "These dirt paths look all the same to me, wat about this stupid library-"
Alicia: "Look you can see the top of The Library." *She pointed up, sighing in relief.*
Lance: "Gah, good." *He collapsed on the ground and lay on his back.* "That run was awkward and unexpected aye?"
Alicia: "Y-Yeah-"
Lance: "I wasn't talkin' to you."
Ashton: "Well-" *He looked at Holland and paused in mid-sentence, filled with failure.*
Holland: "Phew-" *He slouched back, wiping sweat off his forehead with his shoulder.* "What's wrong?"
Ashton: "What about your friend, Holland?" *He spoke with sadness and looked away, kneeling down to catch his breath.*
Holland: *He took a deep breath and stood up straight, facing Ashton with a smile.* "She made it just fine."
Lance: *He heard sticks cracking in the midst of the trees.* "Huh? Wat's that-?"
*The bushes rattled and growled, causing Alicia to squeak.*
Alicia: "W-What was that?" *She cupped her hands and bit her bottom lip.*
*The black dog-like Scoldrant jumped out of the bushes and glared at the party.*
Scoldrant: "Grr." *She showed her teeth in an intimidating manner, before charging for Holland.*
Ashton: "Holland, watch out!" (I'm too exhausted to move.)
Holland: "What?" *He unexpectedly stepped back and stared at the charging Scoldrant.*
Scoldrant: "Gruff." *It suddenly stopped itself, causing it to skid on the dirt path.*
Alicia: "D-Don't move, Holland!"
Holland: *He noticed Ashton, Alicia and Lance staring at him in shock, causing him to chuckle.* "Sorry to startle you all, let me introduce you to my best friend."
Lance: (Best friend?)
Ashton: "Sorry, Holland sir, I didn't quite hear you right?"
Holland: *He bent down and scratched the Scoldrant behind the ears.* "Her name is Freya."
Freya: "Ruff!" *She wagged her tail in excitement.*
*Ashton, Alicia and Lance stared at Holland with dumbfounded faces.*
Lance: "Heh." *He stood up with a smirk and faced Holland and Freya.*
Ashton: "Lance?"
Lance: "You know, I thought all them Scoldrants were bad."
Alicia: "No, not all of them." *She coughed and looked at each party member.* "Some Scoldrants aren't violent at all, but I've never heard or seen someone become friends with one."
Ashton: (Amazing, having such an elegant creature as a friend.)
Alicia: "And that particular Scoldrant, it's one of the strongest ones." *She took a step closer to Holland.*
Freya: "Grr." *She faced Alicia and growled, causing her fur to fuzz up.*
Holland: "Ha ha, hey hey, Freya."
Freya: "Growlth?" *She looked over her shoulder to Holland and became docile.*
Holland: "Sorry about her, she gets jealous when other girls talk to me."
Ashton: "Good grief, how did you both become friends?"
Holland: "About four and a half years ago. I saw her freezing near the snowy mountains East off Eon city, she looked newborn too."
Alicia: "Eon City? Those type of Scoldrants don't reside around there?"
Holland: *He looked at Alicia and grunted in agreement.* "I know. I took her back to my place and raised her back to health. To this day, neither of us know how she actually got there."
Ashton: "Fascinating." *He nodded his head, as he acknowledged Holland's story.*
Lance: "The question I'd be askin' is, why was the dum dog in the cave in the first place."
Ashton: (Oh, Lance-) *He face palmed and shook his head.*
Holland: "We're on a mission to find the source of a disease-"
Freya: "Growlith!" *She growled in agreement.*
Holland: "Well, Freya sensed a powerful Neuron signature."
Alicia: (It must've been that powerful Scoldrant.)
Holland: "She went by instinct and decided to check it out."
Freya: "Ruff!" *She barked in agreement.*
Lance: "Newrong?" *He scratched his head in confusion.*
Holland: "Ah?" *He looked at Lance puzzled.*
Ashton: "He suffered some head damage so he can't remember basic things."
Holland: "Ah okay-"
Freya: *She faced Holland and growled.* "Grrr!"
Holland: "Okay, I want to thank you Ashton, Alicia and Lance-"
Lance: "Why am I always last pssht." *He folded his arms child-like and looked away.*
Ashton: *He glanced at Lance then to Holland.* "Sorry, as you were saying?"
Holland: "Thank you all, but we need to continue our findings."
Freya: "Gruff."
Holland: (The disease is starting to spread at a faster rate.)
Alicia: "We need to go to The Library anyway."
Ashton: "The Library, yes." *He turned around and walked up to Lance and Alicia.* "Until next time, I bid you a good farewell, sir."
Holland: *He smiled and looked down to Freya.* "Yeah of course, let's go, Freya."
Freya: "Rrrawlf."
Holland: *He ran with Freya North East, waving his hand behind him at the party.* "We've got to catch up for the time we lost in Concern's Gate."
Freya: "Gruff!" *She grunted in acknowledgement, as she jumped through a thick bush.*
Alicia: *She cupped her hands, placing them around her mouth.* "Bye Holland, bye Freya!" *She stood on her toes and yelled.*
Lance: "That was a fantastic goodbye."
Alicia: "O-Oh really?" *She looked at Lance in shock.*
Lance: "No."
Ashton: "So which direction do we head towards now?" *He looked at Alicia, brushing dirt off his shoulders.*
Alicia: "We just have to continue walking down this path."
Ashton: "Excellent." *He smiled with joy, as he led the party down the path.*
Lance: "Sigh." *He moaned, placing his hands on his head.*
Alicia: "What's the matter, Lance?"
Lance: *He pouted like a child and walked with his eyes closed.* "I can't remember."
Ashton: "What's wrong Lance?" *He pretended he couldn't hear.*
Lance: "I'm glad someone asked-"
Alicia: "B-But I just-?"
&nb
sp; Lance: "It's just we went through all that trouble 'n' he didn't even give us anythin'."
Ashton: "What do you mean?"
Lance: "Like a reward or somethin'."
Alicia: (All he thinks about is himself.) *She frowned and walked down the path, staring in front.* (There aren't many people like him, and I'm glad for it.)
Lance: "Yea, rewards?"
Ashton: *He ignored Lance's rudeness and continued to walk down the path.* "Come on, Lance."
Lance: "Pssht." *He rolled his eyes and placed his hands on his head.*
Alicia: *She noticed the path cut on to a main road, causing her to smile.* "We're almost at The Library."
Lance: "Yay." *He sarcastically moaned and rolled his eyes.*
Ashton: *He noticed the trees thinned out, causing sunlight to shine on the road.* (Wow, this place is amazing-)
*Birds flew above the treetops and insects buzzed in the background.*
Ashton: (The trees are vibrant green, the sky is crystal blue-) *He looked around with an opened smile, chuckling in amazement.*
Alicia: *She watched the trees sway in the relaxing wind.* (It's so pretty-)
Ashton: "Say, Alicia. Do you know anything else about the warriors?"
Alicia: "N-Nope, sorry Ashton." *She shook her head and looked up to the sky.* "I've told you all I know about the warriors and that wasn't much to begin with."
Ashton: "Oh? That's okay, but how come?"
Alicia: "People who live in backwater villages or towns like myself, aren't privileged to know such information. That's why only late ranked warriors are sent for tax."
Ashton: "I see."
Alicia: "But since we're stopping at The Library, you could browse for more information."
Ashton: "Browsing for information? It could be very beneficial." *He looked motivated, as he walked with excitement.*
*Two travellers concealed in grey clothing and cone shaped hats, walked towards the party.*
?????: "Why can't I travel with you?" *He mumbled to a larger man, as he dragged his feet along the ground.*
Traveller: "Because you're my little monster-"
?????: "And why were you in such a hurry to leave The Library when you found out about the warriors?"
Traveller: "You're actually asking that? They'd make a scene, and don't forget Kath-"
Lance: "And so I said, bam, you're gone loser!" *He clapped his hands and chuckled at himself.*
Traveller: *He tilted his hat up and noticed the party, causing him to stop.* "Oh? If it isn't Lance, Ashton and Alicia."
Lance: "Arh, wut?" *He rudely mumbled and stared at the traveller, giving him a feral look.*
Traveller: "Nice to see you again, children."
Alicia: "Millard!" *She smiled uncertainly, observing the cone shaped hat.*
Millard: "Bahaha, glad to see you all aren't getting attacked this time." *He tilted his hat further back, revealing his face.*
Alicia: "Tee hee."
Ashton: "Where have you been?"
Millard: "Me? Well I was at The Library researching."
?????: (Trying to find the Consultant's headquarters.)
Lance: "Lame." *He mumbled under his breath and rolled his eyes.*
Millard: "Well, what are you youngsters doing out here?"
Ashton: "Since Lance has lost his memory, we're currently trying to find information regarding the city of-" *He paused in mid-sentence.*
Alicia: "The city of Surpreon, in between Gasher Hills and the Great Coast."
Millard: "Ah yes, so-" *He was interrupted by his companion.*
?????: "I have to go, I'll meet you there."
Millard: "Oh no, I'll be a moment."
?????: "Okies, you silly sausage." *He sarcastically grumbled, as he patiently waited for Millard.*
Millard: "Well I'll be off, I found some information that I need to revise over."
Ashton: "Before you leave." *He stopped in thought and looked at Alicia.* "Millard, do you know the purpose of the warriors?"
Millard: "Such an odd question? Why do you ask?"
Ashton: "Well it just seems that well."
Millard: "Well, child?"
Ashton: "Every time the Consultants are mentioned, it's usually related to taxes or death."
Millard: (One day you could hate me Ashton-)
Ashton: "Millard, sir?"
Millard: "Baha, answering that now would be too troublesome, and my back is hurting like no tomorrow. Besides I have no excuses if I'm late, so I better get going."
Ashton: "Oh okay, well thank you anyway."
Millard: "Until next time, children." *He smiled and waved at the party, as he walked into the distance.*
Lance: "Rightio." *He sighed and looked down the road, noticing a large metal gate.* "I can see somethin', let's go. Last one there is an Alicia!" *He chuckled to himself and ran towards the gate.*
Alicia: "What's that suppose to mean?"
Ashton: *He face palmed and sighed.* (Oh Lance-) "Let's catch up before he gets lost."
Alicia: "Tee hee, s-sure." *She smiled and walked with Ashton towards the gate.*
Lance: (Whoa look at that huge gate, it's like a castle.) *He slowly looked up towards the sky, as he viewed the exterior of The Library.*
Gatekeeper: "Who goes there?"
Lance: *He jumped back in shock, due to the unexpected voice.* "Shit nuggets, ya scared me." *He frowned and shook his fist at a tree.*
Alicia: "Th-That's a tree, Lance-"
Lance: "Good work, captain obvious, maybe you should be a captain ranking warrior."
Alicia: "Huh-?"
Lance: "Captain obvious."
Gatekeeper: "I will not ask again. Who goes there?"
Alicia: "S-Sorry-" *She quickly walked up to the gate and looked through the slit the man spoke through.* "The elder from my village has sent a pass."
Gatekeeper: "Pass?"
Alicia: "Y-Yes." *She nervously handed the pass through the slit to the Gatekeeper.*
Gatekeeper: "Hmm?" *He mumbled to himself, as he read the letter.* "This is fine! Open the gate! Please step away from the area!"
Alicia: "Y-Yes." *She looked over her shoulder to Lance and Ashton, causing them to step back.*
*The giant gate moved and suddenly thumped to the ground, causing a pulse of dirt to blow past Alicia.*
Lance: *He lowered his arms and blinked several times, focusing his attention beyond the gate.* (Huh?)
Ashton: *He gazed upon a massive staircase in amazement.* (It leads directly up-)
Lance: "Oh wut?!" *He grunted with frustration.*
Ashton: (There's a lot of stairs and my leg muscles already hurt from all the activities we've been put through.) *He sighed to himself in thought.*
Lance: "What's the point of this crap? Why build so many effin' stairs?!"
Alicia: "It seems you guys haven't been here before."
Lance: "Who cares." *He rudely brushed past Alicia and started to walk up the enormous flight of stairs.*
Alicia: "You are so annoying, grottom bottom." *She whispered and sighed with frustration.*
Ashton: *He noticed two black walls, which towered on each side of the light grey stairs.* "Let's keep going Alicia, I know we can do it."
Alicia: "Y-Yep." *She nodded her head and started to walk up the stairs with Ashton.*
----------
*A man with glasses sighed with frustration in a research-like dungeon.*
?????: "Blast it, why can't I get the formula right?" *He rubbed his eyes under his glasses and stepped away from a board full of glyphs.*
*Chatter of villagers could be heard from above ground.*
?????: "I need to find a way to make our dream come true, a land full of peace."
*The sounds of bubbling water could be heard from test tubes in the room.*
?????: "I can see it now, the villagers will ask me, Riddle, how is that research going? And I'll say there's been no progress." *He sighed and chuckled at himself.* "And now I talk out loud? T
o myself? Pathetic."
*Riddle sighed to himself and sat on a wooden stool, deep in thought.*
Riddle: (Either way, I need to investigate what is troubling the troublesome Consultant. She's the only setback from making my dream come to fruition.)
*Riddle pushed his glasses up with one finger and leant back on the stool, staring at the stone ceiling.*
Riddle: (My dream of peace, and with my power acquired through research-) *He raised his arm, causing swirls of black lightning to spark around his hand.* (It will come true, I promise!)
The Rostical Users - Sceldrant's Comet Page 9