Desert Dragon

by Michael Rogers

  Whitehead: "You slippery seadog!" *He spun around and elbowed Nathan in the face.*

  Nathan: "Oof-"

  Lezard: "Jinkies!" *He squealed with fright and a white glyph drew itself underneath him.* "HEALING-"

  Whitehead: "Aqua Stroke." *He pushed Nathan back and sliced the red and black cutlass sword down, causing a slash-like streak of water to cut Nathan.*

  Nathan: "Elemental Azure Bursts?" *He grunted and stepped back, as water dripped down a bleeding cut.*

  Lezard: (I can no longer use the incantations!-) "HEALING IMPLOSION"

  Nathan: "He took deep breaths and held the sword up, standing in his battle-ready pose.* "Cheap."

  Whitehead: "Hahahaha! Cheap? In a fight, there are no rules! Especially when you're out on the open seas! Boys! Use your finishers!"

  Grunt A: "Ya harh." *He chuckled and stood back up, tightly forming fists.* "Ougi."

  Grunt B: "Sorry, gonna have to hurt yer, sweet cheeks." *He smirked at Luna and caught his dagger, as it magnetised into his hand.* "Ougi."

  Champion: "Oh my?" *She looked worried, as a green glyph materialised and drew itself underneath her.*

  Grunt A: "Bloody Eruption." *He suddenly leapt towards the champion and punched into her chest, causing blood-like water to pulse in an explosion.*

  Champion: "Arhhh-"

  Grunt A: *He nudged his fist forward and blasted her across the ground.* "Phew-..."

  Luna: "Hunchback." *She gasped in disbelief.* "How-?"

  Grunt B: *He lifted one leg up and skated around on one foot.* "Roaring Beast Kick." *He aimed his eyesight for Luna and kicked towards her, causing an invisible wave to blast her off her feet.*

  Luna: "Gah-" *She coughed out strings of saliva before slamming into the grey-scale stone wall.*

  Nathan: "Lezard, help them!"

  Lezard: "H-Huh...?" *He gasped to himself and staggered back.*

  Nathan: "Lezard?!"

  Lezard: (I can't heal everyone.. This is exactly like that time-)

  --

  Blake: "You two must have confidence if yas got enough time for a luvers quarrel-"

  Luna and Nathan: "It's not a lover's quarrel!"

  Destiny: "Yeup!"

  Lezard: (Despite a momentary pause in the fight, it's still too hard to heal everyone at this rate-) *He touched his throat and appeared ill.* "Quick internal light, INVOKING AURA"

  Trevour: *He faced off the Scoldrants which formed a line in front of Blake.* "No matter what you throw at us, we will stand by each other!"

  Blake: "Stand by each other? Like, oh em gee? A true fighter sticks by themselves! You are only good in numbers-"

  Rachael: "What the hell is wrong with you?!" *She shouted and stood by Trevour's side, holding dagger-shaped rocks in each hand.* "Working as a team.. Friends, family, it's the little things that bond people together-"

  --

  Lezard: "I can't heal everyone.. Why? This is making Lezard upset-"

  Nathan: *He glanced at Lezard, grunting in understanding.* "It's fine, Lezard. Just keep healing-"

  Whitehead: "Ougi! World's Edge." *He split the cutlass swords and sliced them across in an X-like manner, blasting out a frontal, waterfall at Nathan.*

  Nathan: *He paused in sheer shock, staring at the rumbling water with widening eyes.* "How-?"

  Champion: "Nathan! MYSTIC SHIELD-" *She screamed from on the ground and waved towards Nathan, causing a bubble-like shield to swirl around him.* (I'm too late!-)

  Nathan: (I-I have to block it!-) *He crossed the sword in front of him and placed his other hand behind it.* "Seventeen, Great Divide."

  *The water violently crashed on top of Nathan and easily dragged him past Lezard, before slamming him into the wall.*

  Nathan: "Ergh-" *He dropped to his knees and fell forward, splashing into the fading water around him.*

  Champion: *She watched a bubble-like shield swirl where Nathan stood, causing Whitehead to chuckle in a pirate-like manner.* (I was incredibly late at forming the Astragons...)

  Lezard: *He held his throat and appeared ill.* (My friends... My delicious guild members!)

  Whitehead: *He held the cutlass swords together, causing them to magnetise into one again.* "Now.. Get out of here."

  Grunt A: "Yeah! With these Rosterology enhancers-" *He pointed at his strange fist-type weapon.* "It allows us to boost and concentrate all our Neurons into a single limb."

  Luna: "Wat kicked me?" *She coughed out each word, as if it was a struggle to talk.*

  Grunt B: "Yarr yarr." *He grunted in agreement and tapped his foot on the floor, implying it was his boots that did it.*

  Lezard: "No!"

  Grunt A: "What about him, boss?" *He nudged his fist at Lezard.*

  Whitehead: *He shook his head.* "He's out of Neurons, knock him out. We got all our training done today, thanks to those seadogs."

  Lezard: *He closed his eyes and straightened his arms, slowly raising them above his head.* (What am I doing?)

  Grunt B: "Boss?" *He looked at Lezard in confusion, noticing a white glyph form itself around him.*

  Lezard: *His face lit up, due to the brightening glyph underneath him.* "Sacred light of Radiatons cluster and form, aid and replenish what has been lost-"

  Whitehead: "Like I said, ignore it. He's out of Neurons-"

  *A flicker of light swirled into a ball above the party, causing the grunts and Whitehead to look up.*

  Grunt B: "What's that, boss?"

  Whitehead: "Argh?" *He stroked his beard in thought, as he stared at the light in confusion.*

  Grunt A: "I'll stop him!"

  Whitehead: *He noticed the champion, Luna and Nathan all on the ground.* "He's a healer.. He can't hurt us offensively."

  Lezard: "SOOTHING LIGHT" *He opened his eyes and dropped his arms, causing three streams of white light to fall down from the ball and burst on top of each guild member.*

  Whitehead: "Argh?" *He listened to glittery-like sounds come from the swirling flashes of white light.*

  Nathan: "Huh?" *He moaned into consciousness and picked up his sword.* "I feel-?"

  Luna: "Good?" *She grunted and stood up, cracking her shoulder.*

  Champion: *She rocked to the side, due to her hunchback and managed to hop onto her feet.* "This light.. It's overfilling with Radiatons."

  Lezard: "Ooo, my time to shine has finished-" *He giggled in triumph and dropped to his knees, as his guild members all stood in battle-ready poses.*

  Grunt A: "I used all my Neurons in that Ougi, boss."

  Grunt B: "Me too." *He grunted and watched Luna, Nathan and the champion slowly stagger towards them.*

  Whitehead: "You're not meant to say that out loud!" *He frowned with authority.* "You two are cleaning the entire upper deck with toothbrushes!"

  Grunts A and B: "No!"

  Nathan: "That-... I wasn't expecting that Lezard."

  Luna: "Aha, yea. Kool shit you just pulled."

  Champion: "I'm also amazed. The quality of your Radiatons has changed."

  Lezard: "Naww.. Time for me to boost your morales!"

  Luna: "Aye?"

  Lezard: "Ahem." *He coughed to clear his throat, trying to catch his breath.* "Two cows are standing in a field. One says to the other, are you worried about Mad Cow Disease? The other one says, no, it doesn't worry me, I'm a horse!"

  Luna: "Are you serious?"

  Destiny: "Yeup?" *She floated behind Luna, keeping an eye on Whitehead and his grunts.*

  Nathan: "This isn't the time for jokes-"

  Whitehead: "What did yer say, argh?" *He leant back and pulled on his beard in curiosity.*

  Lezard: "H-Holy fish-cakes, I said- ahem. Two cows are standing in a field. One says to the other, are you worried about Mad Cow Disease? The other one says, no, it doesn't worry me, I'm a horse!"

  Whitehead: "Hahahahaha." *He chuckled and bent down, placing his hands on his knees.* "Hahahaha."

  Grunts A and B: *They looked at Whitehead and started to laugh with him.* "Yarh harharha
rh."

  Lezard: "Did I do something?" *He placed his hands on the floor, watching sweat drip off his face.*

  Nathan: "Ah?"

  Luna: "It was kinda funny, but not-" *She pointed at Whitehead and glanced at the two grunts.* "Let's laugh like retarded seals funny."

  Whitehead: "Hahahaha-harh..." *He leant back up and wiped his watering eyes, before standing in a casual-like manner.*

  Nathan: "We're here to fight you-"

  Whitehead: "Quit your jabbering." *He split his cutlass sword in two and placed them over his shoulders, causing them to turn invisible.* "Alright.. We can help yer seadogs out!"

  Nathan: "You-, you will?"

  ----------

  *Rachael, Trevour and Karol stood on a long wooden dock, watching calm choppy waves slap against the wood.*

  Rachael: "Water? Inside the city?"

  Trevour: "The ocean?" *He observed the harbour-like area in amazement.* "This shop has more mysteries than one would think, heh heh."

  Karol: "Nee hee." *He bent down at the edge of the dock and stared at his warped reflection.*

  Rachael: (This must be another Spacial Funnel?) *She thought to herself with uncertain curiosity.* (Because, it looks like we're outside, but the outside is just a small island with violent waves-)

  ?????: "Business?"

  Rachael: "Who?" *She turned around and watched Kane dressed up as a fisherman holding a fishing rod walk down the dock.* "Seriously?"

  Kane: "Welcome my fish lovin' shack, peeps."

  Karol: "Kayne?"

  Trevour: "Who are you meant to be now?"

  Kane: "Kane-? I-? I am fisherman, Tim!"

  Rachael: "So, Tim.. Would you happen to know any available ships?"

  Kane: "Unfortunately, all ships are out."

  Trevour: "So, Timothy." *He hobbled towards Kane and adjusted his armour.* "Are you aware that your friend, Kane, sold us shady weaponry and accessories?"

  Kane: "I-? H-He did?"

  Trevour: "Unfortunately, that seems to be the case. So what I'm trying to say, is that I hope we don't have the same problem with you like we did with him."

  Kane: *He slowly nodded his head, filled with intimidation.* "O-Of course you won't."

  Rachael: (Hehe, go Trev.)

  Trevour: "So, about that ship?"

  Kane: "Th-There isn't any."

  Karol: "I don't see any shypes?" *He scanned across the empty harbour.*

  Rachael: "Good grief." *She sighed to herself and raised both arms, brushing her hair back.*

  Karol: "What are you doing?"

  Rachael: "When I'm a little stressed, I like the feeling of the wind blowing against the back of my neck. I find it refreshing."

  Trevour: "How temperamental." *He spoke in defeat and turned around, facing Rachael and Karol.* "No luck, you two."

  Karol: "Then.. What do we dooh?"

  Rachael: *She slowly inhaled and exhaled.* "We'll just have to wait for a ship-"

  *A boat-like horn echoed around the corner, out of sight, catching the guild's attention.*

  Kane: "That came from the sea?" *He spoke in confusion and leant to the side, trying to see where the horn-like noise came from.*

  Trevour: "Sounds like you aren't expecting any visitors, sir?"

  Kane: "All ships aren't due for another few days-"

  *An enormous ship with a dragon-like stone head stationed on the front, sailed at a moderate speed towards the dock.*

  Karol: "Woah! That's hewg!"

  Rachael: "That is a big ship."

  Trevour: "I've seen a few vessels while I was out on missions.. That ship looks slightly different to the others."

  Kane: *He spoke in shock, slightly waving the rod in his hand.* "If I'm not mistaken, that's the Sheridan."

  Rachael: "The ship has a name?"

  Kane: *He nodded his head.* "It's the only ship that has the most advanced Rosterology items and devices installed on it."

  Trevour: "Wouldn't the water damage them?"

  Kane: "Like I said. The most advanced." *He admired the ship, as it's shadow covered the water and over the dock.* "But why is it here now?"

  Rachael: "So, does that mean it's fast?"

  ?????: "Hahaha, the fastest, seadog."

  Rachael: "Hey?" *She turned around and stared at Whitehead in confusion.*

  Whitehead: "She's just as fast as flying Scoldrants."

  Rachael: *She looked behind Whitehead, noticing the champion, Luna, Nathan and Lezard walking onto the dock, causing her to smile.* "Guys!"

  Trevour: "Everyone."

  Nathan: *He struggled to hold Lezard.* "Trevour, give me a hand."

  Trevour: "Of course, sir."

  Kane: "Whitehead, I-I don't know why the Sheridan is back-"

  Whitehead: "Because I ordered it to come back at a faster speed." *He smiled and revealed a black hand-held object with little LED lights lit up around it.*

  Lezard: *He acted like he had no control over his limbs.* "Thankies, you delicious monsters." *He spoke to Nathan and Trevour, as they held him up on each side.*

  Nathan: "..."

  Trevour: "You're very welcome, sir."

  Luna: *She glanced at Whitehead and then to the ship, causing her to chuckle.* "Aha, so we got the captain, and you got the ship?"

  Champion: "Oh my, great team work." *She smiled and closed her eyes.*

  Nathan: "What exactly changed your mind?"

  Grunt A: "Yeah, boss?" *He adjusted his eye patch, as if he was eager to hear Whitehead's response.*

  Whitehead: *He watched the ship stop just next to the dock, causing him to smirk.* "I enjoyed the barrel of laughter."

  Nathan: "Was that it?"

  Whitehead: "Yarr." *He stroked his beard and started to storm down the dock, towards the ship.*

  Grunt: *He leant over the ship and looked down, watching Whitehead and the guild walk down the dock towards him.* "Why did we have to pick up speed, argh?"

  Whitehead: "We're heading back to the other continent."

  Grunt: *He pointed behind him.* "What about the Guard-?"

  Whitehead: "Ahoy!" *He shouted, causing a wooden plank to shoot out of the ship and hit the dock by Rachael's feet.*

  Karol: "Waah-" *He jumped back in fright.*

  Trevour: *He stared at the walking plank in an impressed-like manner.* "That's fantastic. I was wondering how we all were going to get on-"

  Whitehead: "All aboard!" *He grunted like a pirate and heavily stepped onto the plank, walking up it towards the ship.*

  Rachael: "..." (Something doesn't seem right.)

  Luna: "Rach?"

  Rachael: *She shook her head and turned around with a smile.* "Let's go!"

  Lezard: "Yuppers! To Concern's Gate!"

  Destiny: "Yeup!"

  Trevour: "Just be careful, sir." *He spoke to Lezard, as he stepped onto the plank.*

  Lezard: "Thankies-"

  Nathan: "Don't go too slow, or we'll fall off."

  Kane: "That's okay.." *He watched everyone walk along the plank of wood, waving his fishing rod in a lonely-like manner.* "Tim will just stay here."

  ----------

  *Celest stood on one knee, under a ray of bright light, listening to the sounds of distress voices, which echoed around the room.*

  Celest: "The Wise-"

  The Wise: *An old man coughed, causing Celest to focus her hearing to one side.* "What is the meaning of this?"

  The Wise: *An elderly woman cleared her throat from the other side of the room.* "It is very unusual for thou, Celest to have a sudden meeting. It is only natural The Wise are slightly startled by this audience."

  Celest: "The Diareamer has brought something very urgent to my attention."

  The Wise: "It hasn't got something to do with The Dontalia Facility?" *A man gasped, filling the room with distress.*

  Celest: "That facility to my knowledge is forbidden to discuss-"

  The Wise: "What is the urgent audience about?" *A mature man grunted in an annoyed-like manner.*
r />   Celest: "The keeper of the planet's Aurorions!"

  The Wise: "Grey Susanoo?"

  The Wise: *A woman interrupted the man.* "No, Niklauseh Susanoo-"

  Celest: "He's stolen the Aurorions!"

  The Wise: "Impossible! If he does that, then the planet shall lose its life energy!-"

  The Wise: "It won't be able to generate the Neurons needed to create life!-"

  The Wise: "This could even affect the way we use Radiatons-"

  The Wise: "Even Shadiatons-"

  Celest: "Thy understand the importance." *She spoke with respect while implying to move the conversation along.*

  The Wise: "What shall we do?"

  The Wise: "Eliminate the problem of course."

  Celest: "Despite the treachery, he has been a valued ally-"

  The Wise: "Despite who they are, we are talking about the planet!"

  Celest: "Thy understand-"

  The Wise: "What is the current situation with the Sacred Knights?"

  Celest: "There are no current Sacred Knights-"

  The Wise: "We will send Locki Vanheart."

  Celest: "Locki? But he is a member of The Wise now-"

  The Wise: "Then..." *An old man spoke as if he didn't know what to do.*

  The Wise: "What about the Diareamer?"

  Celest: (Hmm.. When she's in her awakened state, she does wield the power of a Sacred Knight-)

  The Wise: "Good work, Celest, for bringing this urgency to our attention."

  Celest: "Thy will help in any way."

  The Wise: "Dismissed!"

  Celest: *She looked slightly startled, as if she wasn't expecting to be dismissed so early in the conversation.* "Of course." *She lowered her head and disappeared in a swirl of white light.*

  ----------

  *Arcadia opened her eyes and found herself at a table, watching Ginger having a deep conversation with her.*

  Arcadia: "Thy understand-" *She spoke with an emotionless face.*

  Ginger: "Ey, Arcadia?" *She stopped talking and glanced at Arcadia in a curious-like manner.*

  Arcadia: *She slowly shook her head.* "The Wise have spoken to me."

  Ginger: "The Wise..? Who are they? Please respond."

  Arcadia: *She looked down, staring at a half-eaten plate of food.* "It does not matter."

  Ginger: *She continued on with the conversation.* "Valhalla.. I cannot understand its being, despite the facts that were laid upon my eyes, it is still illogical."