Guard B: "Wait!-" *He jumped out of the golden door with urgency.*
Guard A: "Excuse me?" *A small flame ignited itself in the middle of his palm, causing Alicia to step back in shock.*
Guard B: "I thought that name sounded familiar, he would like to see them immediately."
Guard A: "Immediately?" *He mumbled to himself in shock, causing the fire in his palm to extinguish.*
Teresa: "Hoh?"
Guard A: "Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was ordered to be on full alert, due to the Consultant's recent activity."
Guard B: "P-Please, this way." *He turned around and walked through the golden door, causing it to ripple like water.*
Lance: "Aye?" (Another transparent doorway?) *He glanced at the rippling door, staring at it with hesitance.*
Teresa: "It is similar to the entrance." *She walked past Lance and disappeared through the door.*
Ashton: "Alicia, Lance-" *He stepped through the door and met Teresa on the other side.* "Teresa."
Teresa: *She looked over her shoulder and stared at Ashton with an emotionless face.* "..."
Ashton: "I thought using Rostical is rare, how come just a guard can use it?"
Teresa: "Hoh? It is the ruler's guard after all."
Ashton: *He scratched his head with an agreeing smile.* "Ha ha yeah, sometimes I ask obvious questions."
Lance: "Where do we go?" *He impatiently sighed, staring at the roof with curiosity.*
Teresa: "Straight ahead."
Alicia: "Excuse me, Teresa." *She paused and held her pendant with both hands.* "You seem to know your way around this place really well."
Teresa: "It is because he does not like change, it is the same as it was back then."
Alicia: "O-Oh okay." (What is she talking about?)
Lance: "So, wat are we gonna ask this ruler?"
Teresa: "If there are no grievances about my proposal, I have intentions of telling his majesty the situation you both are in-"
Lance: "Wha-?"
Teresa: "And see if he is able to help you."
Lance: "Hey that doesn't sound like a bad idea." *He waved his arms above his head and grunted like a child.*
Alicia: *She ignored Lance, staring at the guard's back.* (I hope he doesn't see-)
Guard B: *He stopped at another golden door and faced the party, noticing Lance act like a child.* "Behind this door lays the ruler."
Ashton: "Thank you for that, good sir."
Guard B: "..." *He nodded his head and walked past the party.*
Lance: *He looked over his shoulder and watched the guard walk through the door.* "He didn't have a sense of humour."
Alicia: *She reached for the handle on the door and quickly stopped.* "D-Do I need permission?" *She looked at Teresa for clarification.*
Lance: "Permission? How's this for ya dopey bitch-" *He chuckled with a cocky smirk and power walked into the door, causing a loud thud.*
Ashton: (Did he just hit his head on the-?)
Alicia: *She covered her mouth, as she tried not to laugh.* "Are you okay-?"
Lance: "Shuddup!" *He grunted with frustration, rubbing his forehead in pain.*
Teresa: "This door is not manipulated by Astragons." *She spoke in a professional-like manner, as she glanced at Ashton and Alicia slightly smirking.* "To open this door you need to twist the handle and-"
Lance: "OK, OK, just, wateva!" *He opened the door with a bright red face, embarrassed.*
Teresa: "..." *She walked past Lance and walked into the ruler's room, causing the party to quickly follow.*
Alicia: "W-We better show respect-" *She whispered to Lance and Ashton, causing them to bow.*
?????: "Hmm?" *He sat on a high royal-like chair and watched the party walk into the room.*
Ashton: *He walked on a blood red carpet, observing the bright white walls.* (This room is very spectacular-)
?????: "Welcome! My name is Season and I'm the ruler of Surpreon." *He rubbed the arms of the chair, watching the party gather in front of him.* "What brings you all here?"
Teresa: *She looked up and stared at the chair's red-gold outlining in detail.* "I have something that may come to interest."
Season: (My is that Teresa?!) *He slightly smiled, before leaning forward in interest.* "Teresa it's been a while."
Teresa: "Indeed."
Season: "What would bring you back here?" *He stood up and took a couple of steps down.* "I thought you were going to help PKMY-"
Teresa: "..." *She looked to her side and stared at Lance and Ashton.*
Lance: (Why does everything have to be so formal?) *He grunted in thought, as he kneeled on the ground.*
Teresa: "It would seem that these two, do not come from this planet."
Season: *He paused and stared at Teresa.* "Did you just try to make a joke?"
Teresa: "There is no reason for me to lie, nor make jokes, Season."
Season: (The Grand Seal-) "I certainly believe you."
*Alicia, Ashton and Lance gasped in shock.*
Lance: "Pssht, everyone is so understandin'."
Alicia: (He believed her? The ruler of Surpreon easily believed something like that?)
Lance: "Season."
Season: "Yes?"
Lance: "You have won a prize in the competition."
Season: "Hmm?"
Lance: "You have successfully won a pony!"
Teresa: "Lance, enough nonsense!"
Lance: (I guess they aren't that understanding.)
Ashton: "I'm really glad everything is going along smoothly, but Season, why are you so easily convinced?"
Season: "Hohoho-"
Lance: "Santa-?"
Season: "I wouldn't usually bother with such stupid stories, but I have someone running around doing errands for me."
Teresa: "Hoh?"
Season: "I will explain later tonight, maybe a private feast. I have prepared several rooms at the Inn for free, it's located just outside."
Teresa: "Season?"
Season: "Sorry, but due to Battling Oxident's soon arrival, I am very busy." *He started to walk around the chair, leaving the party's sight.*
Alicia: *She closed her eyes and bowed in respect.* "Th-Thank you your majesty, you're so very kind."
Season: "I will see you all tonight, Teresa will know where to meet." *He walked towards the wall and stepped through it, causing it to ripple like water.*
*The party looked at each other, undecided what to do next.*
Ashton: "Let's go to the Inn."
Lance: (I wonder how big the rooms are?) *His face filled with excitement.*
Alicia: "What if there aren't enough rooms or beds?"
Lance: "We have a solution to that."
Alicia: "Oh thank goodness, what is it?"
Lance: "You on the floor?"
Alicia: "You suck-"
Teresa: "Perhaps you both misheard? He said several rooms were prepared." *She started to walk out, causing the party to stand up and follow.*
Lance: *He frowned in thought, whispering to Ashton.* "Who's this person he was talkin' 'bout?"
Ashton: "I'm not sure." (It was weird the way he said it though.)
Alicia: "So, Teresa, how do you know Season?"
Teresa: "Long ago when I was working, we agreed that things were not running to optimum levels."
Lance: "Workin'?"
Ashton: "What wasn't running at optimum levels?"
Teresa: "We ended up being companions, there really is not much to it really."
Ashton: "Do you feel like you're left in the dark?" *He mumbled to Lance with curiosity.*
Lance: "What ya mean?"
Ashton: "I don't know, it just feels like I should know more than I do."
Lance: "..."
Ashton: "I also noticed you've been very quiet lately, what's up?"
Lance: "I was just thinking about them Newrongs 'n' Astragongs, and-" *He paused in thought, as he silently walked through the room.* "Home of course."
Ashton: "M
e too." *He walked through the golden door and noticed one of the guards opening the tall doors, leading outside.*
Alicia: "Th-Thank you." *She spoke to the guard with respect, before walking outside.*
Teresa: "The area consists of small shops and markets, small houses ring around the outer edges of the city. This main square, consists of Season's manor, the Inn and the research facility-"
*Two large man walked out of the research facility, deep in conversation.*
Man: "So have you trained up for the upcoming Battling Oxident?" *He walked into the markets, causing his words to fade into the background.*
Teresa: *She stopped and stared at a grey cemented house.* "..." *She looked at a large wooden plank with the word Inn scratched on it, wave in the slight breeze.*
Alicia: "Well, this is the Inn-"
Lance: "Could someone get it a prize? Thank you miss obvious!" *He grunted and pointed at the huge sign.*
Teresa: "Tcch-" *She looked at Ashton, catching his attention.* "Does he always intend to act like this?"
Ashton: "Well-"
Guard: "Help!" *He barged through the markets and rushed towards the party, stopping in front of Alicia.* "Is it true young lady, that you know Rostical?"
Alicia: "Y-Yes-?"
Guard: "Come quick, we need your help."
Alicia: "S-Sorry-?"
Guard: "A Scoldrant has snatched two women walking from Surpreon."
Teresa: "..." (Hmm, why would a Scoldrant snatch two people? Is it because there is no food?) *She slightly frowned, deep in thought.* (No!-) *Her eyes widened with realisation.* (It must be a parent!)
Guard: "W-Well?! Will you help?!"
Teresa: "Perhaps we should help him out? We are staying at the Inn for free, it is the least we could do."
Alicia: "You're right, let's go."
Guard: *He nodded his head and turned around, causing his armour to rattle.* "This way!"
*The party followed the guard who ran through Surpreon, towards the entrance.*
Ashton: "Whereabouts was the abduction?"
Guard: "I was patrolling around Surpreon and heard several screams near Gasher Hills."
*Teresa and the guard ran with their arms swaying behind their backs, ignoring the white pebbles outside.*
Ashton: "Got it, let's go!-"
Teresa: "Will it be wise for us to run directly to Gasher Hills?"
Lance: "Aye?"
Teresa: "You all had trouble just walking through it."
Ashton: "We have to! Despite the heat, someone is in trouble."
*The party became silent, as they continued to run towards Gasher Hills. Their footsteps cushioned on the ground, as it became sandy.*
Alicia: "H-How did you know I could use Rostical?"
Guard: "I heard Season, when I was guarding just outside the throne room-"
*Loud screams echoed, interrupting the guard in mid-sentence.*
Lance: "Hurry it up! Come on ya dirty shit nuggets!"
Teresa: (Tcch, that boy.) *She watched Lance run up Gasher Hills, causing nearby rocks to crumble.*
*The party followed Lance up the rocky path, as they spiralled around Gasher Hills.*
Ashton: *He continued to run up the path, ignoring the scorching heat.* "Q-Quickly, we've lost sight of Lance."
Alicia: *She looked to her side and noticed the bird's eye view of Maserio.* (We've up pretty high-) *The ground around her crumbled and shattered off the side of the spiral mountain.*
Teresa: *She noticed Alicia falling off with the chunk of rock she stood on.* "Tcch-"
Ashton: "Alicia!-" *He spun around and quickly jumped forward, grabbing onto Alicia's wrist.* "Argh!-"
Guard: *He quickly grabbed Ashton's shoulders and pulled him away.* "That was close-"
Teresa: "Ensure to take my warnings in better consideration next time." *She twirled around and continued to run up the spiral path.*
Ashton: *He puffed with exhaustion and stared at Alicia's frightened quick breaths.* "Are you okay?"
Alicia: "Y-Yep-" *She spoke on a frail voice, before looking over her shoulder at the crumbling rock below.*
Guard: "It is good that-" *Another screech echoed, causing the party to stand up.*
Ashton: "Let's go!" *He grunted with determination and ran up the path.*
Lance: *He ran on the very top and instantly noticed a large figure, which was concealed in the sunlight.* "I-Is that the Scoldrant?!"
Teresa: *She ran behind Lance and noticed the Scoldrant.* "Tcch-" (Its Neuron signatures are quite high-)
Scoldrant: "Squalarh!"
*Ashton, Alicia and the guard caught up to Lance and Teresa, staring at the Scoldrant in shock.*
Ashton: (It's at least fifteen metres tall.)
Lance: "It has like a beak, a body of a horse, a-and wings-"
Scoldrant: "Squall-" *It flapped its scaly wing, causing a warm pulse of wind to blast across Teresa.* "Larh!"
Teresa: "Tcch-" *She raised her arms and closed her eyes, as the wind pushed her slightly back.*
Lance: "And it's covered in silver scales." *He paused and took a step back.* "Alicia."
Alicia: "Y-Yes?" *She spoke on her breath, biting her bottom lip in fear.*
Lance: "I think, I've found your real mother?"
Teresa: *The wind died down, causing her to slowly lower her arms and open her eyes.* "Tcch-" *She gritted her teeth, as sand streamed off her face.*
Alicia: *She stared at the large Scoldrant that stood before her.* (Why must I, fight again?)
Guard: *He observed the ground near the Scoldrant, causing him to shake his head.* "Where are the civilians?!"
Ashton: "Where are they-?" *He heard sobbing sounds, which focused his attention to a crack in the ground.* (I heard noises?)
Teresa: *She noticed Ashton, who kneeled on the ground.* "They must be kept in a ravine or a cave."
Ashton: "I did notice several cave entrances running up the mountain, would they be kept in there?"
Teresa: "Gasher Hills is nothing but caves damaged by time. it is plausible."
Scoldrant: "Squalarh!" *It took a step forward, causing the surrounding area to crumble into dust.*
*The party except for Teresa stepped back, due to the Scoldrant's intimidating screech.*
Lance: *He drew his sword and pointed it towards the massive Scoldrant.* "Do we have to fight this thing?"
Guard: "It needs to be slain anyway."
Teresa: "Hoh?"
Guard: *He looked at Teresa, while facing the Scoldrant in a defensive manner.* "It picks off messengers, as they walk from and to Surpreon."
Ashton: "I see."
Teresa: (It is not a strong Scoldrant, but with this current party-)
Lance: "As if I'm waitin'!" *He raised the sword and charged towards the Scoldrant.*
Ashton: "Lance, don't be foolish!-"
Lance: "Pssht, standin' around doin' nothing is foolish-"
Scoldrant: *It lowered its head and twirled around, slamming its tail into Lance's chest.* "Squal-" *It flapped its wings and a pulse of wind, blasted Lance back into the party.* "Larh!"
Teresa: (It may be troublesome.) *She looked behind her at a trail of sand, watching Lance slam into a crumbling rock.* "Alicia, on my word, you are to use Icicle Edge, understood?"
Alicia: "Y-Yes." *She hesitantly, yet eagerly nodded her head.*
Guard: *He stepped in front of the party, facing the Scoldrant.* "Humph, in Surpreon's name, I'll stop you myself!"
Lance: *He coughed out sand and awkwardly stood up, noticing the guard.* "W-Wat are you gonna do-?"
Guard: *He dug his feet into the soft-dry ground, preparing himself to attack.* "Raging flames, fall down, snatching heat, FLAMING WHEEL"
Alicia: *She watched two flames swirl around the Scoldrant's feet, causing her to gasp.* "Rostical!-"
*The flames suddenly erupted up into a tornado-like swirl of fire, causing the hot air to become more unbearable.*
Ashton: "It's the same as Millard's but it
looks completely different."
Teresa: "Millard? In what way are they different?"
Ashton: "Well, the guard's Flaming Wheel has a much duller colour and the wind isn't as hot as I remember Millard's to be."
Lance: *He charged towards the fire, raising the sword slightly behind him in the air.* "Take this, you stupid thing."
Teresa: "Again? Tcch-"
The Rostical Users - Sceldrant's Comet Page 16