The Rostical Users - Sceldrant's Comet

by Michael Rogers

  Teresa: "What has induced this?"

  Ashton: "What I asked you?"

  Teresa: "Precisely."

  Ashton: "I-" *He paused and sighed.* "I think it would be better."

  Teresa: "From a strategic point of view, indeed it would be."

  Ashton: "Where is this Great Plains? How long will it take us to get there?"

  Teresa: "The Great High Plains and do not worry, Season has left us with that." *She pointed to Gasher Hills in the distance.*

  Ashton: "What's up there?"

  Teresa: "A teleportation glyph."

  Ashton: "A teleportation glyph? You mean like what Season used to move back and forth from his throne room."

  Teresa: "Precisely, correct."

  Ashton: "It's wondrous how it works."

  Teresa: "It is merely another form of Rostical."

  Ashton: "Rostical?! I thought it was a Rosterology item."

  Teresa: "You are not entirely wrong, there are devices which induce the glyphic markings as the glyph, but require a powerful user to wield it correctly."

  Ashton: "So-"

  Teresa: "Do not dwell on the glyph any longer, focus that mentality on PKMY."

  Ashton: "Not to sound like Lance, but are we seriously going to walk all the way up Gasher Hills?"

  Teresa: "Such a walk is nothing for me, but I believe it is best to present you to PKMY in top condition."

  Ashton: "And making me walk up Gasher Hills will make me top condition?" *He looked at Teresa with uncertainty.*

  Teresa: "Negative, that is why-"

  *A large purple glyph drew itself on the ground around Ashton and Teresa.*

  Teresa: "We are using Season's glyph to teleport from here."

  Ashton: (She talks incredibly formal, it's hard to understand sometimes.)

  Teresa: "Brace yourself if this is your first time."

  Ashton: "First time? Teleporting?"

  *The area started to swirl and blur, causing Ashton to lose balance.*

  Teresa: "The density in Astragons usually leaves inexperienced travellers feeling light headed and fatigued."

  Ashton: "Whoa!" *A bright purple flash blinded him, causing him to close his eyes.*

  Teresa: (PKMY, can you hear me yet?) *She stood on the spot with an emotionless face, as her hair swirled around her shoulders.*

  Ashton: (It feels like there's no gravity, but my feet are still touching ground.) *He stared at the swirling area in thought, keeping himself calm.*

  Chapter 5: Training A

  Alicia: "W-What do you mean, they will be back shortly?"

  Lance: "Yeah, how long is shortly?!"

  Season: "I think seven days." (It really depends how long he finishes her training.)

  Alicia: "Seven?!"

  Lance: "A week? What could they possibly be doin' in that time?" *He dropped his arms like a child.*

  Season: "Teresa would say, that's none of your concern."

  Lance: "Pssht, wat are we gonna do in a week?!"

  Season: "Teresa has requested something to do on her leave, do you wish to hear of it?"

  Alicia: "U-Umm." *She looked at Lance, waiting for his response.*

  Lance: "I-I don't care-"

  Season: "Neither do I, I will merely send this task to one of my guards."

  Alicia: "Y-Yep, I would like to know."

  Lance: *He sighed and rolled his eyes.* "Fine, just hurry up 'n' tell us."

  Season: "Ahem." (How did she say it?) *He mumbled in thought, triggering a flashback.*

  ----------

  Teresa: *She gracefully flicked her hair over her shoulder, staring at Season with an emotionless face.* "Due to the both of us on temporary leave, I would like Alicia and Lance to find someone."

  Season: "Find whom?"

  Teresa: "A man named Millard, he is currently known to be at AriAri village."

  Season: (Millard? It would be, that Millard.)

  Teresa: "Ashton has forewarned me, that Lance will get into mischief whilst he is away, so perhaps giving this task on to them will serve you greatly?"

  Season: "I see." *He mumbled, nodding his head in thought.*

  Teresa: "I have heard great things about Millard's fire based Rostical. It may help in the preparation for Battling Oxident."

  ----------

  Lance: "Mischief? Wat a bunch of losers." *He closed his eyes and grunted, picking his nose without care.*

  Season: "Will you accept Teresa's request?"

  Alicia: "W-We should accept it, we would have nothing to do but sit here."

  Lance: "What fart-tronic seven thousand said." *He pointed at Alicia, angrily picking his nose.*

  Alicia: "Eww, grottom bottom-"

  Lance: *He purposely yelled over Alicia.* "But wat is this Battling Oxident? I hear it everywhere, aye?"

  Season: "What is Battling Oxident?" *He looked down, noticing Lance's puzzled look.* (He isn't joking.)

  Lance: "Well?"

  Season: "Excuse my initial shock, I thought you would know."

  Lance: "Well, turns out I don't-"

  Season: "I will tell you what Battling Oxident is, when you arrive back."

  Lance: "Wateva."

  Alicia: "L-Lance-"

  Lance: "Don't, L-Lance me-"

  Season: *He stood up from his chair, walking down towards Lance and Alicia.* "I better give you this before I forget."

  Alicia: "H-Huh?"

  Season: *He gave Alicia a white compass-like device.* "Here you go."

  Lance: "W-Why are you giving it to her?" *He folded his arms like a child.*

  Alicia: "Th-Thank you." *She looked down at her palm with curiosity.* "What does it do?"

  Season: "What this device does, is that it absorbs Neurons in the light."

  Alicia: "Y-Yep?" *She nodded her head with slight confusion.*

  Season: "And it redirects the Astragons, by refracting that light-"

  Lance: "Why do you all go all nerdy, far out. I don't care if it absorbs life, just tell me wat it does."

  Guard: *He faced Lance startled, due to his disrespectful behaviour towards Season.* "..." *He slightly bent forward in a battle ready pose, placing his hand on his weapon.*

  Season: *He looked over to the guard, shaking his head.* "The Rosterology device that sits in Alicia's palm essentially renders the user invisible."

  Lance: "Invisible? Say wat?!" *He chuckled in disbelief, poking out his tongue.*

  Alicia: "F-For how long?"

  Season: "Good question, Alicia-" *He turned around, facing his chair.* "Until your Neurons deplete."

  Alicia: "G-Got it."

  Season: "Teresa told me her observations of your battle criteria Alicia. She believes, you only have enough Neurons to reach AriAri village and back."

  Alicia: "Oh, okay." (So that's why he gave it to me.)

  Season: "Sorry, Lance, but you wouldn't have been able to use the device in the first place."

  Lance: *He sighed with a disapproving nod.* "What 'bout them single digits?"

  Season: "They will sense you, but you will still be invisible to them."

  Lance: "Shit nuggets, that's pretty wicked." *He smiled to himself, placing his hands on his head.*

  Season: "That's assuming you run into them in the first place."

  Alicia: "I-I guess we've got a long walk ahead of us-"

  Season: "Oh, and to save time, instead of taking the route you took to get here-" *He turned around, placing his hands in his robe.*

  Lance: "Aye?" *He stared at Season in confusion, watching him pull out a sheet of paper.*

  Season: "This map contains a direct route from Gasher Hills to AriAri village." *He rolled up the paper, handing it to Alicia.*

  Lance: *He glared at Alicia with frustration.* "So why couldn't we take that route in the first place, stinkmania grumptopia?!"

  Alicia: "I-I didn't know about this route-"

  Season: "Not many people know about Spacial Funnels, these are secret routes, one of many."

  Lance: "Oh OK."
*His face became red, causing him to look away.*

  Alicia: "Spacial Funnels? What are they-?"

  Lance: "No." *He stepped forward with his arms far apart.* "No nerdy explanation, we're gonna go now."

  Alicia: "Sh-Shall we go then?"

  Lance: "Hurry it up, been waitin' for ages." *He groaned at Alicia, causing her to rush.*

  Season: *He glanced at Lance annoyed, before focusing his attention to Alicia.* "Activate it now Alicia, to see if it works."

  Alicia: "Okay, that's a good idea, th-thank you."

  Season: "Remember, just focus on pouring Neurons into the device-"

  Alicia: "..." *She closed her eyes, causing the device to activate.*

  *Several symbols stringed out from the device, which caused Alicia and Lance to vanish.*

  Season: (Excellent-) *A researcher ran into the room, bowing in respect.*

  Researcher: "Your Majesty!"

  Season: "Can I help you?"

  Researcher: "Sir, you're needed in the research facility."

  Season: "Of course." *He blindly waved in front of him, knowing Alicia and Lance could see him.* "Good luck on your task."

  Lance: *He watched Season walk with the researcher out the room.* (He really couldn't see us-)

  Alicia: "I wonder if Millard is still there?"

  Lance: "I wonder why she wants to see the old fart anyways."

  Alicia: "S-Sorry?"

  Lance: "Well, the two look like they wouldn't know each other."

  Alicia: "I agree."

  Lance: "Agree? You ain't allowed to agree."

  Alicia: "Oh? B-But you were agreeing with me."

  Lance: "Huh?" *He looked at Alicia filled with confusion, before slowly walking out of the room.* "Just don't be a nuisance and we should be fine."

  Alicia: "I'll try not to be." *She smiled, following Lance out of the room.*

  Lance: "Well, good." *He hid his smile, as he led Alicia out of Season's manor.*

  ----------

  *Ashton and Teresa appeared in a flash of purple light, stepping off the fading glyph.*

  Teresa: *Strong winds blew her hair to the side, causing her to flick it out of her face.* "..."

  Ashton: "W-Wow." *He mumbled to himself in disbelief, staring at long swaying grass.*

  Teresa: *She looked at Ashton with confusion.* (I do not understand, using such energy over the mere appearance of the scenery around him-)

  Ashton: "Teresa, this place is majestic." *He glanced across the plains in amazement.* (It looks like it goes on forever.)

  Teresa: "Hoh? Majestic? Hardly."

  Ashton: "Then why did you take me here? What's so special about this place?"

  Teresa: "This is the location to where your teacher resides."

  Ashton: (My teacher? I'll try and be the best student she's ever had-)

  Teresa: "Here she comes now."

  Ashton: "Oh?" *He glanced around, failing to notice anyone.* "Teresa, I don't-"

  ?????: "Hello, Teresa."

  Ashton: *He looked in front and noticed a woman small of height, walk towards Teresa.* (Where did she come from?)

  ?????: "About time you decided to pay me a visit." *She grunted, proudly staring at Teresa.*

  Ashton: *He silently observed the woman with curiosity.* (She seems like a powerful woman. And, she wears quite unusual clothing.)

  Teresa: "Ashton." *She stared at the woman with a slight smile.*

  Ashton: "Y-Yes?"

  Teresa: "I would like you to meet someone I dearly respect, PKMY."

  PKMY: "Heh." *She leant on a side, folding her arms with a smirk.*

  Teresa: "PKMY, this is Ashton."

  Ashton: "It's an absolute pleasure to meet you."

  PKMY: *She slightly smirked, standing up straight.* (What a nerd-) "Nice to meet you too."

  Ashton: "Excuse the ill mannered question, but how do you pronounce your name correctly?"

  PKMY: "It's pronounced Pee-Kay-Mee."

  Ashton: "Oh okay, it's a very unique name."

  PKMY: "No problem."

  Ashton: "Haha, cool." *He smiled, staring at PKMY with respect.*

  PKMY: (Pssht, a nerd, but I like him so far-) "So, Teresa, what am I doing with him?"

  Teresa: "I had intentions to sit down and watch, I have no relevant information regarding the tools you need for your training."

  PKMY: "So you have no idea what his elemental affinity is?"

  Teresa: "Negative."

  PKMY: "Or what basic structures of Neurons and Astragons he excels in, defining what fighting style he-?" *She gritted her teeth and frowned with excitement.*

  Teresa: "Like I previously stated, I do not know." *She walked past Ashton and PKMY, towards the only tree in the distance.*

  Ashton: "So, what would you like me to do?" *He nervously mumbled, keeping a brave face.*

  PKMY: "Well tell me, what would you do if people were getting hurt."

  Ashton: (A scenario?) "Got it."

  PKMY: "Which of the following best suits you." *She coughed and folded her arms, ignoring the constant wind.* "Revenge, go and attack the attacker, run away from the foe's reach-"

  Ashton: "..."

  PKMY: "Try to protect them by being defensive, and lastly, formulate a plan to work as a team."

  Ashton: "Yes-"

  PKMY: "So which one is it?"

  Ashton: "How will you know anything useful, by me answering that?"

  PKMY: "Pssht, who's the one in training here?" *She slightly frowned, impatiently tapping her foot.*

  Teresa: *She yelled from the distance, sitting under the tree.* "She is a top notch teacher, Ashton."

  Ashton: (I don't disregard what Teresa says, but those options aren't what I had in mind.)

  Teresa: "PKMY, perhaps you should show him instead?"

  PKMY: "Heh, not yet-" *She smirked, focusing her attention to Ashton.* "So, choose." *She spoke with confidence, stepping forward.*

  Ashton: "Well, I'd want to protect them, my friends-"

  PKMY: "Right, yahoo, you're a defensive type!"

  Ashton: "Y-Yahoo?" *He looked at PKMY startled.* (She's loud-)

  PKMY: "Will be focusing and teaching you supportive skills." *She clapped her hands and rubbed them together in excitement.*

  Ashton: "Is that it?"

  PKMY: "Pfft, no way."

  Ashton: "O-Okay." (Being around Alicia, PKMY's attitude, it's the complete opposite-)

  PKMY: "OK, now it's time for me to evaluate you."

  Ashton: "Sure, what would you like me to do?"

  PKMY: "All you have to do, is grab a leaf on that tree." *She pointed behind her, smirking in Ashton's face.*

  Ashton: "Is that it?" *He looked over PKMY's shoulder to the tree Teresa lay under.* "No catches, or anything like that?"

  PKMY: "Well I will try to stop you so, I suppose that would be your biggest threat."

  Ashton: (My biggest threat?) *He observed PKMY's small structure with confusion.* (She's as small as Alicia, if not smaller-)

  PKMY: "Ready? Go!"

  Ashton: *He instantly charged towards the tree, focusing his attention on the swaying branches.* (I'm definitely not the type to get cocky-)

  PKMY: *She slowly looked over her shoulder, staring at Ashton.* "..."

  Ashton: *He stopped at the base of the tree and looked up, reaching for a nearby branch.* (But this is fairly easy.)

  PKMY: "Too slow."

  Ashton: (Huh? Did PKMY say something-?) *He slowly turned around, reaching further for the branch.*

  PKMY: "Heh." *She faced Ashton and flashstepped, causing a pulse of wind to blow the surrounding grass back.*

  Ashton: "Huh?" *He noticed the grass move, causing him to shake his head in confusion.* "She's not there-?"

  PKMY: "Tssk, tssk." *She suddenly appeared in front of Ashton, as he focused his attention to the side.*

  Ashton: (Behind?! No-?!) *He gasped and lowered his arm.* (In front of me?!)

  PKMY: "Why are you staring in the spot where I was
just standing? You look like a fool."

  Ashton: "B-But how-?"

  PKMY: *Her body glowed a shade of blue, causing Ashton to step back with fear.* "Seven finger snap-flying palm strike."

  Ashton: "What are you doing-?"

  PKMY: *She waved her hand behind her waist and slammed it into Ashton's chest.* "Do you always stand there and talk while the opponent prepares an attack?"