The Rostical Users - Sceldrant's Comet

by Michael Rogers

  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!)