Time: 9:25 AM
"Hey Vara?" Ludwig asked as Vara perked up out of thought.
"Hm... What?"
"Is Venoma the talking type?"
"Yes. He loves to talk, but lately his feelings got him choked."
"Is he alright?"
"He likes this time. He tells me of his home... although I can't tell you anything. He told me not to tell anyone."
"Come on! I'm not just anyone! I'M LUDWIG VON KOOPA!" Ludwig was getting a little full of himself for a second there until Karma got the perfect insult.
"Yeah, Ludwig von Idiot you mean." Karma started to laugh as Vara laughed as well.
"You are very good with comebacks!" Vara then looked at Ludwig, who stood up. Right then, two figures materialized.
"Long time no see!" Venoma said happily as Vara got up and hugged him. Teela looked and smiled at Karma and Ludwig.
"What were you doing?" Karma questioned eagerly.
"What do you think?" Teela asked, a smart charming look on her face. She could imagine all the weird things Karma would say.
"Hm... Hard to imagine all the things with you two..." Karma got that knowing, yet dark look on her face that made Teela give her a disgusted face.
"No. Venoma arrived right as I was going to get killed."
"Aww... Little Prince saved his princess!" Karma joked as Venoma cast a worried glance to Vara.
"I didn't tell them about there, that place. And what you are, and what you do," Vara mouthed silently as Venoma then realized it was a joke. Venoma then just started to walk away as Karma then got a sorry look on her.
"Look what you did now. You shouldn't pick on people," Teela commented as she looked to Vara. "Go with him."
"Why don't you? You could probably comfort him better than I can," Vara said as Teela looked slightly confused.
"I-I.. um... Venoma... come back! Don't leave... please?" Teela begged as she watched him turn around.
"I want to go for a walk."
"Not if you know what's good for you," Teela said as she then sent a message inside his head.
I've got a sure rose for you. Meet me on the cliff past the courtyard of the castle.
Hehe... Venoma replied as he turned back around and sat down.
"What's weird is that we never know what they're saying in their heads..." Ludwig said as he looked to Venoma.
"Perhaps my psychic abilities will improve if I train with them!" Karma said as she pictured herself making lots of money by telling people a bunch of mumbo jumble involving their future.
"Suurrree..." Ludwig commented as he then realized they were right in front of Kastle Koopa. "Perhaps we should go into the forest."
"Teela? I need to speak to you," Karma said as she looked to everyone else. "Ludwig, why don't you take them somewhere else?"
"Um... Oh yeah. Alright, you and Teela go talk."
"Ok. Come on, Teela," Karma said as she grabbed her paw. Teela shot an unsure glance to Venoma.
I don't know what she wants to talk to me about.
You can tell me later. Bye...
Uh... See ya later.
Teela continued to follow Karma into the woods.
_
Setting: Illusion Forest: House, Time: 10:00 AM
"DANG IT!" Reema shouted as she went throughout the house, looking for Teela and her friend. "Where'd they go?" She then realized that bag of stuff downstairs. She had seen Teela with it when she sat down in the chair. Teela had obviously left it. "YO TEELA! IF YOU'RE HERE, THEN COME GET YOUR STUFF BEFORE I BURN IT TO SMITHEREENS!!!" Reema shouted, her voice probably heard throughout the forest...
Reema picked it up, and sighed. She then looked at the black felt box beside it. Reema was curious as to what was in it as she lifted the latch and peered inside. Inside were the items Teela had looked at earlier. Reema shut it and put it inside the minibag Teela used for traveling.
"Perhaps if I return it, she'll trust me... Then I'll get her... HAHA!" Reema laughed as she realized a horrible thought. She actually wanted Teela to be her friend once more. "Ha... That demon? She's so weak... She just got lucky... Yeah, that's it. Lucky. I'll just gain her trust, and kill."
Reema picked up the bag, and headed out of the house and into the forest. She would make her way back to the village...
_
Time: 10:00 AM
"Teela. I wanted to question you."
"You finally have questions for me? I'm so happy! We finally get to resume that conversation from so long ago!" Teela jumped in glee, jumping a little too high because her head touched the treetop's leaves.
"Oh yeah..." Karma smiled, and then remembered the point she was trying to make. "Why are you here?"
"That is what you wanted to question me for?" Teela's smile faded into a serious interlude of emotion. It ranged from serious, to sad, to understanding.
"Yes. So... answer already," Karma replied as she leaned on the hard tree trunk that seemed like it would last forever against the survival against time. Too bad it isn't resistant to fire...
"Well. I'm here to protect you from something that I believe is coming soon."
"What do you mean?" Karma then remembered the feeling she gots often. The feeling that something was coming.
"You see, someone came to me.. I saw the future. It is about five years from now, and-" Teela then got a pounding feeling inside her head, like something was going through her mind all of a sudden. It hurt so bad, she had stopped talking.
"Never mind. You speak the truth, I can see what has happened."
"What?"
"I never told you I was slightly telepathic, did I?"
"Yes, but you can't see visions!"
"Telepathic. If it's on your mind, and it's strong enough, I can sense it. That simple..."
"That's too simple."
"Huh? It's true."
"Would you like me to finish the story now?"
"Huh... If it makes you feel better... I didn't actually see it, I just heard it."
"Oh. Anyway. It was the fairy of-"
"Knowledge."
"Yeah, and then you ended up-"
"D-D-Dieing in the end." Karma had fear suddenly churn up into her eyes.
"Alright, you don't need to hear the rest I suppose. The point is... WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE IF YOU AND LUDWIG DO! BOWSER, OR THE EVIL WHATEVER HIS NAME IS, IS GONNA KILL US ALL!!!" Teela was panicking as Karma just blinked.
"You're really overreacting..." Karma sighed as she then remembered the other question. "Why is Venoma here?"
"Same reason."
"Alright... It's so nice to be protected, but you can all leave now." Karma smiled as Teela practically laughed.
"You're joking, right?"
"No..."
"Hm... Karma... you've got to understand. I'm here to save you. Did you notice how, well, what you heard inside my blabbering head, that you died because I didn't have teleportation?"
"You're right... You would have used that."
"I changed the course of time, Karma."
"HA! Riightt."
"I know I wasn't supposed to come here. I should be exploring some island, or be at sea right now."
"I guess you do have a point. Alright... Fine. But you'll have to stay the night in that cave. Remember the one we went in long ago?"
"Yes... I'll sleep in a tree outside the cave. Where will you be?"
"In my room of course."
"Karma! I'm here to protect you!"
"Can you be invisible?"
"Speaking of..." Teela then turned transparent as Karma looked shocked.
"That's transparent. Not invisible."
"So, if I were invisible, I could stay in Kastle Koopa?"
"I suppose..."
"Hm... As much as I'd like that to happen, it'd be a miracle..."
"Yeah. Well, all right then. If that's it..." Karma said as Teela sighed. She stood up to walk back to the castle.
"Smile, Teela. The sun is always shining!" Karma was trying to cheer her up, but all Teela really wanted was a nap. She was so dreadfully tired from being scared, then happy, then pretty much energyless. That fight didn't help much either. "Hey Teela?"
"Yeah?" Teela yawned as Karma looked concerned.
"You sure you're okay? You look kinda pale."
"I'll be fine," Teela lied. The truth was, she didn't feel so well at all.
Though, she just really ignored it.
"Hm... All right then. If you need anything, let me know. Are you hungry?"
Teela then realized she should have been hungry right about then. All she'd had was a bowl of cereal, and she was a Yoshi on top of that. Her stomach shouldn't have been satisfied.
"Uh... yeah. Starved." Teela smiled as she picked an apple off a nearby tree. She ate it whole, as Karma smiled. She picked one off too, and took a bite.
"I prefer to chew..." she commented.
"So? I usually do as well..."
"You eat like a human."
"Really? I never noticed... I don't eat as much as I used to."
"Yeah, and when you someday find a way to eat more, you'll be throwing up because your body forgot how to digest!" Karma added seriously as Teela just laughed.
"I'm not gonna be anorexic, or whatever you'd like to call it. I call it, take it easy or you'll die of sickness."
"Geez, I thought you made it this long because you matured."
"Believe me, I don't act like this all the time. I'm just oddly happy."
"Enough chit-chat. Let's go," Karma started to walk off as Teela turned around and grabbed another apple off the tree with her tongue.
"Nobody ever said being a Yoshi is a bad thing." Even though she wasn't hungry, it would do her body good to get some nutrition.
_
Time: 10:15 AM
"Elder? I request permission to go through the warp pipes of Illusion." Reema was standing next to a very old Koopa that seemed to be patiently waiting for someone to approach him.
"Ah... Reema. You are our little star pupil at the ninja training school. The master sees great things in you... great things indeed," the village elder said with so much wisdom and understanding in his voice.
"Um... sure. Now, may you please move aside so I can leave? I'm on very urgent business!" Reema pleaded with a serious look on her face.
"Reema. This must be important. Please, people beg me to leave, but you guys are going to have to walk if you want to leave this village. The dead is rising, and it will be war. You have to stay and fight."
"Elder... before you were saying you wanted to leave..." Reema commented as she remembered how he told the entire village of the great move.
"No, not now. Everyone who is left is forbidden to leave these grounds with the warp pipe. Especially you, Reema! You're a fighter, ninja-thing with an axe. Now, you stay!"
"Elder. Don't make me move you," Reema said coldly as the ice perhaps might have been visible with the cold tone.
"Reema, tell me. Why is it you're so desperate to leave all of a sudden?"
"I'm on a mission."
"What sort?"
"A return."
"As in revenge?"
"Perhaps. Just a return mission. And I will be returning," Reema said as she lifted up her axe to feel the sharp blade, and to threaten the elder with the axe's might.
"Hmm... All right. Reema, whatever you're doing, make sure to let your parents know."
"They know," Reema lied as the village elder rubbed his beard, and then moved out of the way to grant her passage to the warp pipes. Only one problem remained... which one led to Kastle Koopa? "Elder, which pipe would perhaps lead me to the place labeled, Kastle Koopa?"
The elder seemed to have had a heart attack when she said those words. He then raced up the steps to grab her by the shoulders, and shake her.
"PULL YOUR DEMON SOUL OUT OF THIS INNOCENT!!!" he screamed as Reema got an appalled look in her eyes.
"Elder, I'm fine. I'm on a delivery mission. Alright?"
"Reema. Be careful... I know you're as sneaky as the gentle breeze, but still. Bowser has no heart or pity for Yoshis, and you know it."
"Yeah, yeah," Reema said as the elder pointed a claw at the warp on the farthest left. There were about fifty warp pipes there total, and so at least she knew she had an easy way to return. "Later when the sun shines."
"May you be protected."
"I can protect myself," Reema replied, and that was the last as she jumped in the warp pipe without another word.
_
Setting: Chaos Castle, aka Creepy Castle that Makes You Scared, Time: ???
"WHAT? AGENT TECH, WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY’RE STILL ALIVE?!" A shrill voice rang throughout the castle, scaring any who weren't invited.
"Sir... you must understand. Agent Arrow did not kill them. The poison was cured," a strange creature replied to the dark figure. The one Lord Chaos was referring to, Agent Tech, was a hybrid. He looked mostly of a human, but his skin was green. What really pointed that he was a hybrid was his claws, which were definitely that of a birdo. His hair was pure purple, and spiked up naturally. The spikes were long as they stood up like grass from the ground. His hair swayed back and forth as he moved.
"Agent Tech." The voice sent chills throughout the hybrid's body as Chaos just stood there patiently. "You know what I do when I'm angry?"
"N-No sir."
"I eat." He then watched the smile form on Agent Tech's face. He pictured Chaos and a plate of spaghetti, not expecting what came next.
"Bodies. Blood. Things that are alive."
Agent Tech seemed like he would go into a seizure of some sort. He just stood there, not knowing what to say. "Oh," was the only thing Tech could manage to speak. It seemed as if he had forgotten how to speak.
"I'm assigning you on a mission. With one other of course." Lord Chaos's demonic smile formed evilly across his face as Tech could only imagine what he was planning. "With Ribbon."
"HIM?!" Tech almost choked on the word as he resumed a straight face.
"Yes. He will work wonders for you. I will send him with your mission. I warn you. If you shall fail, I'll eat you slowly."
"Y-Yes, Master Chaos."
"Please, it's Lord. Not Master..." Lord Chaos said as he walked away silently, his footsteps sounding as if they weren't even hitting the ground.
"Alright." Tech then walked away, heading towards the hangar to grab a ride. He turned once more to watch Chaos walking away.
Lord Chaos was what appeared to be human, but was demon-infested. This meant his real human mind was inside, locked away somewhere in there. His human appearance was quite attractive, he had black armor with a green cape. His hair was a midnight black and swayed as he walked. His cape just glided over the air soundlessly. Even his armor never clanked when he walked. He was very handsome on the outside, although on the inside, who knows how the real human was suffering, if it was even there anymore? It might have just given up, or just faded. No one could be sure...
_
Time: 10:22 AM
"You guys, the entire castle should be awake now. Stay in the forest." Ludwig was telling Venoma and Vara as they both nodded in unison.
"Alright."
"Yeah, whatever."
"Hm... alright. I'm going to go inside. It's quite unusual for me to spend this long outside, and to get up so early. Now, please, don't get killed," Ludwig finished as he started to walk off.
"Where are you going?" Vara questioned almost immediately.
"Going to live my normal day, and forget this all happened."
"That easy, huh?" Venoma said sympathetically. "Let me tell you something. You're lonely, and I can see it. You shouldn't live like this. Get friends, get outside more often, do something besides always being lonely. Go see the world, and I guarantee you'll learn something new. Trust me, I've seen it. You want to know something else? Well, I'm very similar to you. When you step out into the real world, you'll find so much more, and you'll be truly happy that way. Believe me, I've seen it. I've felt it. I've lived it." With the last few sentences, Venoma's tone got lower and lower as Karma and Teela finally found them.
Hey. How were things? Everything still set for now? Venoma smiled as Teela looked unpleasant.
I don't feel very well. My stomach is gonna hurl... literally.
Oh...
I'll be fine, I hope. It should leave.
Anyway, how did things go? You look sad. I hope what you mentioned to me earlier is still going. It convinced me to stay...
Yeah. It's still all right. It's just, Karma asked me why I was here.
You showed her?
She... read my mind.
What do you mean?
She is slightly psychic, and I believe it. She completely read the story.
Wow, it must have really echoed out from the halls of your mind. Geez...
Yeah, I know. She's also worried how I'm staying alive. No answer really.
What do you mean?
She's concerned about what I'm eating.
And what's that?
Barely anything...
No wonder!
Be quiet. Talk later.
K...
Ludwig stayed as he walked off to talk to Karma.
"Karma. What did she say?"
"I... saw what she was going to say?"
"What?"
"Ludwig... I'm a bit psychic."
"YOU CAN READ MINDS?"
"No. Only if someone is thinking something so strong, then I'll just pick it up. It's like it just appears in my head," Karma admitted as Ludwig sighed a sigh of relief.
"Hm... so? What is it?"
"The fate of Plit is resting on us." Karma then looked at Ludwig. He started to laugh as she remained silent and sober. "Ludwig. If I get thrown into that lava pit, your dad destroys Plit. Or perhaps that demon will destroy us first. The point is, if I die, you die. I was thrown into a volcano, and then you died. So your dad destroys Plit with his rampage. So, yeah. The fate of Plit rests on us." Karma did not smile, as Ludwig then stopped laughing.
"You're serious?"
"Yes." Karma sounded so somber as Teela walked over to them.
"Hey. You telling him?"
"Yeah. I told him."
"That's why I'm here."
Suddenly Teela heard Vara's ear-shattering scream, and saw Venoma with his claws raised to fight someone. A Human-Birdo-like creature was holding a wrist knife to Vara's throat.
"I got the girl," Tech said to a figure that emerged from the trees. This figure was a male too, humanoid. Teela had no idea who these people were.
"Alright. I'll stay and play if you'd like."
"Yeah, you and your ribbon?" Tech said in a mocking tone.
"Yep!" The humanoid didn't take that offensive, but Tech started to move away with Vara.
"ALRIGHT! SAVE VARA!" Teela yelled as she then realized what had happened. "That's why he was so mad..." Teela said silently as Venoma then turned to look at her.
"Why?" he asked as Vara started to try to kick her way from the Tech dude.
"Because... Vara was killed. Don't you get it? If Vara is killed, and for whatever reason that remains-"
"HURRY UP ALREADY!" Vara yelled as Tech started to choke her.
"Alright. Playtime!" Ribbon yelled as he pulled out what appeared to be a computer floppy disk. He then waved it around as he spun around, and tossed it into the air. "I CALL FORTH MY GUARDIAN! LET THOU ECHO WITHIN ME TO RELEASE! GRANT ME YOUR SPIRIT!"
The male had blue wavy hair that started to blow with the uprising wind, and his outfit was completely color matched. He wore a gray shirt, and a pair of gray jeans. He would have looked a lot cooler with a cape, but that was what he lacked. His human face had red streaks across it, which pointed out that he was not from Plit or Earth.
The disk released an aray of glowing colors with green smoke as a figure materialized from it. The disk was left suspended in the air as it returned to the guy called Ribbon. Tech stood there to watch.
"What are you waiting for? Go! I can handle them!" Ribbon called to Tech as Tech started to laugh.
"Naw. I'd rather stay here to fight as well. That is when you fail."
"Geez. When we were friends, it was a lot better. Now that we're working together, it's a living nightmare of competition." Tech grinned as Teela just stood watching these talkative people.
"Whatever. Leave, I'll catch up."
"Fine." Tech then jumped up into the air, and a small plate-like thing caught him.
"A hoverboard." Venoma snarled as he realized those weren't to be invented until at least another ten years by Professor E. Gadd.
Tech took off as Vara had a tear streaming down her face. Teela started to glow as she held her sword in confusion.
"Weapons kill. I'm not a killer." Teela then sank to her knees.
"Teela." Venoma lay a claw on Teela's shoulder. "Fight. You can. They started it, remember? It's all right."
"Yeah, Teela," Ludwig chimed in with his squeaky voice as Karma then looked behind her to her friends.
"Guys, you... uh... might wanna pay attention here." She pointed to some sort of shadow emerging from the smoke. Teela watched in anticipation as she held up her blade, ready for anything. The words that Venoma said had given her strength. She was feeling so thankful for her friends...
Karma held up her fists, eager to fight. Ludwig, well, just started to cower. Venoma put one claw out in front of him; his elbow was bent as he had the karate motion.
"Dude, the karate's mine," Karma joked as the smoke cleared to reveal a weird mix of a creature. It was mostly wolf, but you could see parts of other creatures as well. It was black, with two big sparkling red wings. It also had a tail that appeared to be fit for balancing, like a monkey perhaps. Although, on that tail, were claws. That would definitely not be for hanging from trees.
"How many times a day do you have to call for me?!" the creature spoke as Teela seemed amazed.
"Look. I just wanted your... mind, and whatever. Now, please, fuse with me already," Ribbon said strictly as the beast shook its beautiful furry head.
"Netro, I told you. I don't want to speak to you, let alone help you," the creature mentioned silently as it's eyes reflected no emotions at all.
"Natchura! I told you already! My name is Ribbon. Refer to me by that name."
"I told you too. You shall not use my power for such evil! You're a demon, use your powers!"
"You're my Guardian Spirit. If it weren't for me, you'd be wherever it is that you hated before."
"I'm to guard you. Not fight as you."
"Natch! I order you!"
"CHARGE!!!" Karma screamed, tired of the ranting and raving going on.
Natch, the creature, then sighed as it started to glow a golden color. Ribbon then smiled an evil smile that you get when you receive your way. The two started to be pulled into a light that was almost blinding. You could barely see it, but it was some sort of fusion that was taking place.
In a few seconds, everything dimmed down again as Venoma got a look of terror. In front of him lay a monstrous beast that would make you stop breathing for a brief few seconds.
The beast that emerged was some sort of human. Two blood red-colored wings, with black tips, were flapping lightly on the creature's back. The head was a human head, with two pointed black wolf ears. There was a tail, it was bigger with more thorns as well. The creature's eyes were a black color, swirling red flames flaring up. Litterally, there was some red burning inside of them. The hands were still human, but each one was tipped with a wolf claw twice the the human finger's size. Also, there was more of the wolf fur rising all over the arms and legs. The fused creature's hair was black like the wolf creature's fur, and it had streaks of blue in it as well. Overall, the creature was a mix of the wolf creature and Ribbon. It was very cool, but looked very vicious and blood thirsty.
"Fight me." Ribbon's voice seemed much more demonic now, but it still had the specific ring to it.
"Alright. Who do you challenge first? It is the Lyto's way to fight one at a time." Venoma sounded brave as Karma stood there, very confused. What was a Lyto?
"Hm... Yes, you know your species. But a fused one, also known as a Lyfuso, is so much stronger than the Lyto. Therefore, it would be fair if all of you face me and the demon human." The Lyto was obviously in control of the body. Teela nodded as she turned to Venoma.
What an odd creature. How did you know what it was?
The disk is still in the museum. The creature is a very noble one, and fair at that. It knows the ways of battle, and treats them seriously.
Wow...
Teela smiled as she grasped her sword even tighter. Chirpy was sitting in a nearby tree, hidden from the danger at least.
"Alright. Let's go." Teela stepped forward as Karma and Venoma followed. Ludwig stayed behind, devoid of all feeling except fear...
_
Setting: Kastle Koopa: Surrounding Forest, Time: 10:52 AM
"Er... I HATE THESE FREAKEN THORNS!" Reema had emerged from a warp pipe, and was having so much frustration with the thorns that had grown there over time from not being tended too.
Reema stopped as she heard some roaring. The noise seemed so un-Plit-like, she was almost afraid to take another step of life.
"Hm... Perhaps an animal is tearing Teela limb from limb!" Reema joked as she actually took it seriously...
She jumped over the thorns, and used her tongue to grab a hold of a branch. "That's not normal. Being a Yoshi has it's advantages!" Reema giggled as she rubbed her tongue in pain. She moved past a few more of the clearings with trees to stumble upon a sight of a human-like... thing.
"TEELA? I FOUND YOUR STUFF, AND I DECIDED TO RETURN IT!"
"I'LL FIGHT YOU LATER!!!" Teela yelled as Karma looked at Reema in surprise.
"Who on Plit is that?!" Karma then looked behind her to find Ludwig, with a bow and arrow that he was tipping with some sort of liquid.
"Where'd you get that?"
"Scienific genius. Actually, I hide them in trees all over the place, just so I could go hunting for specimens for experiments." Ludwig smiled as he aimed at Reema.
"Woah! Don't shoo, Koopa boy! I'm a friend of Teela's..."
"Wha? I have no idea who she is..." Teela played it seriously as Reema held up the bag of stuff. The creature then leaped at Reema as Teela closed her eyes, and teleported to grab Reema. She transported back just as fast.
"Cool! That was fast..." Venoma said as his mouth was gaping open.
"Y-You saved me..." Reema was devestated as Teela looked to Karma. Karma nodded as she then got ready to fight.
"Yeah, I saved you. Now help us." Teela then looked to the monster.
"Thank you for waiting. You are an honerable opponent. We shall fight you now."
"As my master wishes..." the creature said bitterly as Karma almost felt sorry for it. Ludwig, however, could care less. It was just another opponent to him.
Reema charged as Karma did the same. Teela remained as Venoma thought of the perfect thing to say.
"It's now or never. You get one chance to live. This thing is opposing you being alive. Are you going to die helplessly?" He said the right thing, because Teela's energy flared up. Teela turned around to stare at Ludwig; he was cowering in fear.
"Ludwig. Either you die now, or not live again forever," Teela mentioned as he nodded in understanding. Venoma smiled as Teela paused for a moment to recooperate.
Reema was jumping here and there, the creature known as the Lyto was trying to hit her. It was mostly human, yet it moved like a wolf.
"All right. You and me." Teela said to herself, looking at her blade. "The blade of Moonlight... Shadows." She then charged as she realized that that creature was glowing a black color. "Uh... guys? You might want to watch out..."
Karma was running as fast as she could, noticing the black energy growing. Ludwig was trying to shoot arrows at the creature, but they just bounced off of it harmlessly. Venoma was trying to get close to the creature, but his claws were throbbing with pain as he fought the creature with its mini sword-like claws. The Lyto then sent out a ribbon of red lasers. Teela then smiled as she'd predicted something like this was going to happen. She had her eyes closed, listening to the flow of energy slightly being echoed withing the wind.
Teela had transported, blocking one of the rays with her sword. It bounced off as a light came out of the sword. The light resembled that of a black energy that shimmered like moonlight.
"So that's why they call it the Moonlight Blade of Shadows..." Teela whispered, looking behind her to see that everyone had somehow dodged the lasers. Ludwig had fallen as another ray of lasers few out. Teela jumped in front of him as her sword deflected another ray of the laser, and the blade also sent a ray of black moonlight. Teela smiled as she watched Karma dodge the attack by running the other way, and Reema had nimbly done a few backflips. Venoma had just stepped aside easily.
"DIE!" came the mixed voice as Teela put the sword down. Yet, right as she did that, Natch, the creature, threw another ray of lasers right for her.
"NO!" Venoma yelled as he shut his eyes, hoping this nightmare would end. Teela had held up her hands, everyone watching the array of blinding light that Karma seemed impressed by.
Blue light had fired from Teela's hands, while at the same time, she was transparent. Teela herself did not known how she had done that. Even so, the red laser started to push her blue energy back. Teela had a feeling that that red laser would destroy her, whether or not she was transparent. She could still feel the energy from it, so that had to mean it was harmful to her anyway.
"FIGHT IT!" Karma yelled as everyone else seemed too dazed by the light.
"I'M TRYING! I'M TRYING! I'M TRYING!!!" Teela then pictured them taking Vara. "AHHHHH!!!" The light was so bright, it scorched some of the leaves. It overcame the red energy laser light as Karma picked up Teela's sword and did a reckless charge attack. But by the time she realized it, Natch had moved.
"H-How?" Ludwig asked as he fired another arrow. "HOW IS HE DOING THAT?!" Reema was trying to swing her axe around, but everyone was in the way now. Teela then realized that it was moving faster than they could see. All she saw was a faint blur. Karma must have been thinking the same thing, because the next moment, the blur had crossed her path, and she tripped it.
"HEY!" Natch/Ribbon yelled, the voices starting to split as they defused. Natch stood there, bravely.
"You have won. My defeat is his."
"What?" Teela asked as she wondered how tripping someone could be a defeat. "I know you have more powers than that."
"Yes. You're right. He thinks we're stronger when we're combined. But he doesn't realize that he gets some of my powers, not all others. He's never had the brilliant idea to let me fight like a guardian..." Natch then started to wear away. "He also doesn't realize that it's a waste of energy."
Natch dissapeared as Ribbon stood up.
"I'll fight all of you." He was barely able to stand as Teela held up one hand. A blast of blue came out as it shot him in the arm. It went right through it as he sank to the ground. Karma then walked over to him and kicked him in the leg. He let out a cry of despair that everyone seemed to be ignoring.
"Wow. Is it just me, or is this harsh?" Ludwig said as he raised his bow and applied another arrow.
"No," Karma said as she looked as Ludwig. "You'll kill him."
"She's right. This isn't harsh though. He's a demon," Venoma said simply.
Reema held up her axe. "SO?! IF HE'S A DEMON, THAT'S NOT EVEN HALF HIS ENERGY!!!" She started to charge as Teela grabbed the axe from her a little too easily.
"No wonder I defeated you."
"You didn't defeat me. I had you cornered, and you used some sort of magic on me!!!" Reema said simply as Teela smiled.
Ribbon stood up, and fired some sort of ribbon at Ludwig. It shot right through the area where his lungs should be as Karma fell to the ground as well.
"AAHHHHHHH!!!" Karma yelled as Ludwig was hit so fast, he didn't feel it.
"And that's why they call me Ribbon," he said simply as he waved his disk, and just dissapeared.
"Oh no..." Reema said as Teela looked to Karma.
"Sheesh... How many injuries can a group of people accumulate in one day?" Teela sighed as Reema glanced to Ludwig's wound.
"I think I can fix this."
"No way. You'd probably just poison them," Teela replied as Venoma nodded a definite yes.
"Seriously. Ninja training school would teach you this."
"Really?!" Teela seemed shocked that they would teach such things in a training school.
"Yes. Go get me the root of ivy, Redroot Ivy, and the leaf of a spotted tree."
"Easy. I'll get the spotted tree leaf." Venoma turned to walk away.
"I guess that leaves me with the Redroot." Teela sighed as she turned.
"Wait. Let me come with you."
"No."
"Do you even know where to find it?" Reema smiled as Teela shook her head.
"You've got a point. I don't..." Teela then realized someone would need to take care of Karma and Ludwig.
"Illusion Forest. The trees there are spotted. So, take me there."
"Go there yourself. I'll take care of these two."
"No. I barely got out of the village... The elder is refusng to let anyone leave."
"Fine. I'll take you, then I have to come back."
"How am I going to get back?"
"Well, no matter what, you'll have to go to that village." Teela sighed as she then realized that she could just have Kamek do it, but where was he?
"Well... I guess we only have one choice." Reema smiled as Teela sighed.
"You're right.."
_
Setting: Area outside Chaos Castle: Rooming cabins, Time: ???
"AHH!" Ribbon screamed as he poured alcohol on his open wound, It was an energy cut he received from fusing with Natch.
"So, you barely made it out, eh?" came Tech's mocking voice from the room. "Why don't you give me that oversized dog?"
"Because it will protect me."
"From what? It's never once saved your pathetic life, has it? It's foolish."
"No. I will need him. And I didn't make it out barely, I'm a demon. This wretched human body only slows me down."
"Geez, why are you there then?"
"Because. I'm not a full-blooded demon, I'm a half. A stinkin' hybrid... My foolish father fell in love instead of fighting. He was a fool... He betrayed his comrads, and they all fell in battle because he'd rather protect that idiotic... woman! Now I'm forced to suffer becuase of her! If I was full-blooded, I could leave this body!"
"Why are you forced to suffer because of your lack of power?" Tech asked curiously.
"Because my demon half wants to rip away, and it is tearing me apart. Natch and I used to fight and train side by side until I got associated with gangs and stuff. He liked my human side, until I went evil. But this is my purpose, I chose to be here, and he won't except that."
"Sounds like a drama..." Tech rolled his eyes as he climbed the bunk on top of Ribbon's.
"Well, it's real. You can't imagine the pain that goes through me sometimes. I can't even bring myself to think what will happen if this gets out of control... Sometimes I wish I was dead..."
"Well, we are only born to die anyway. That's mainly our purpose..."
"Tech, I don't think I can bring myself to believe you..."
"Probably your human side wanting to make you good-hearted."
"But look at you! You're human, and yet you feel no pity for anyone!" Ribbon was still rubbing at his wounds as he sighed at the floppy disk that lay beside him.
"Well, I guss I just am that way. We think differently because we are different. At least we didn't fail our misison completely. We got the girl..."
"Yes, but was it the right thing to do?" Ribbon asked as Tech started to laugh meniacally.
"OF COURSE! HAHA! You are pathetic. Keep this up, and you'll just be weaker. As Lord Chaos says, emotions are for the weak."
"Hmm... Yes, you're correct..."
"Alright. Well, I want a nap. Talk to you later..." Tech started to walk out the door as Ribbon sighed. He then waved the disk around; a glowing circle appeared. It then disappeared as if nothing had happened.
"I'm sorry, Natch! Please understand..." He then lay down and fell asleep, the bitter feeling of loneliness going through his human body. If only the world was perfect...
_
Time: 11:33 AM
"I can't believe they managed to take her..." Reema commented as Teela was kneeling down to Ludwig and binding his wounds. She then stood up, and looked disgusted from the blood on her hands.
"Now I have to wash my hands..."
"Why don't you just lick them clean, demon?"
"I told you, I'm not a demon. We don't have time for the... I guess we're both going."
"Hehe... But what about your fangs? Wouldn't the village hunt you down? Wouldn't they pull out your guts and strain them?"
"Okay, that's enough beautiful imaging. Let's just go..." Teela held out her hand, as Reema grabbed it. Although she did cringe because of the drying blood...
"Alright demon, do your magic." She smiled as Teela closed her eyes, and began to disappear. The wind would take them all the way back, no matter how far.
"And to think that we were once friends..." Teela had whispered in annoyance from Reema's comment. She still joined sides way to easily for my likings, but then again, she always has been very quick to change her mind... Teela thought in her head as she completed the trip. She opened her eyes to find Reema shaking in fear.
"I don't wanna fall! I don't wanna fall! Ehh.." she screamed as Teela placed her paw on Reema's shoulder..
"You're home. We're right outside the Illusion Forest," Teela sat down as Reema looked a bit puzzled.
"Aren't you coming?" she then smiled as Teela looked very irritated; Reema knew why she couldn't come.
"Of course I am!" Teela said all happy-like as she then gave Reema another look of aggrivation.
"Ok then, let's go!"
"Hmm... alright! I walk in, get seen, and then get killed!"
"Not if you have... this!" Reema waved her hand in a circle as a ninja suit came out.
"How?"
"Latest technology... Now slip the head cover on, and then the suit, and let's go!" she exclaimed as Teela looked uncomfortably at the clothes. She grabbed them; they were obviously made for a Yoshi.
Reema paced back and forth as Teela fumbled with the outfit. It fit her perfectly as she finally pulled the pants all the way on.
"These are comfotable. But I'm incredibly hot in here! The sun is practically roasting me!"
"Don't speak. Let's go..." She jumped over the wall she knew so well.
"Wow, isn't this familiar?" Teela said softly, and sarcastically. She had been trapped by Reema a long time ago right by that spot. Reema had refused to finish her off because of the unfair odds.
Reema led Teela along the streets casually, no one suspecting anything.
"See? What'd I tell you?" Reema smiled as she led them to a small shop on the corner.
"Hm... That's new..."
"Yep. It was built recently, and it's reliable. They sell some weapons, but mostly just magic ingredients. Come on!" Reema broke for it at a run, but Teela was already waiting outside the door.
"Man you're slow..."
"Haha, very funny..."
"Alright, let's go get Karma and Ludwig's cure. "
_
Time: 11:33 AM
"It's somewhere here, I know it!" Venoma seemed frustrated as a bird suddenly landed on his head. It was Chirpy, of course.
"Chirp."
"I have no idea what it's saying..." This just made the frustration worse.
"Chirp!"
"How can I listen if I don't- I-I- Oh my gosh! I CAN UNDERSTAND!" Venoma cried for glee as Chirpy just held back its wings in a creeped out manner.
"Chirp?"
"Of course I'd like to know where it is!"
"Chirp."
"Alright. Hurry up!"
Chirpy lifted off Venoma's head, and caught flight. If flew a little to the left, and landed in the treetops. There were a ton of spotted green leaves. Chirpy picked three with its beak, and started to fly back to Venoma.
"Hey! Thanks little, er, bird." Venoma pat the bird on its small head as Chirpy seemed to be smiling. Venoma had never come in contact with an animal this close before, let alone actually understand one. "Thanks to you. Teela, again..."
"Chirp?"
"What do you mean? I have to leave someday. I want to go back to my own time... I need, and have to..." Venoma then grabbed the three leaves, and started back towards Karma and Ludwig.
Chirpy just sat there, wondering and curious.
_
Time: 11:43 AM
"Sir? Would you have Redroot?" Reema questioned a guy behind the counter as Teela stood behind her, waiting without any patience.
"And make it snappy," Teela added quickly as the man got a look of aggrivation.
"Redroot... Yeah, I got plenty... How much you want?"
"We'd like just two pieces of Redroot," Reema said sweetly as the man smiled.
"Sure, it will cost you nothing. It's on the house, just do me a favor."
"What's that?" Reema added a little darkly.
"Teach your friend to mind her manners..." The man handed her the Redroot as she paid him five coins anyway. Reema was trying to keep from bursting out and laughing, Teela feeling like she could rip someone's throat out with the boiling anger...
"Alright, my enemy, let's go." Reema smiled as Teela was fuming with anger at her. Reema was trying to get on her nerves, and it was working...
"Oh, I see! You think it's funny when I get mad, do you? Ok then. I'll shoot these palm blasts at you, and see how you like that!" Teela had a very smug, yet dark look on her face as Reema stared blankly.
"Let's go already.."
"Perhaps I'll just leave you here!" Teela then dssappeared as Reema ran to jump the fence. She knew Teela wouldn't leave her behind, not when there were lives at stake. As she expected, Teela was waiting.
"Took you long enough." Teela started to laugh as Reema became the annoyed one. She held out her paw as Teela twisted her arm, and then they disappeared.
"Er... I always... hated you..." Reema finished as her words were in vain.
_
Time: 11:43 AM
"Hmm... I hope they're back." Venoma was pushing past various plants as he came to the clearing where Karma and Ludwig's bodies were not doing anything. Hm... If Vara was here, perhaps I might be taking this a little better. No one is back yet..." He sighed as he knelt down to Ludwig's bandaged wound. He observed it; it was done very sloppily and seemed as if someone had done it quickly. But it was efficient, and it had stopped most of the bleeding.
Right then, Teela and Reeema materialized out of the air. Teela just smiled and waved as Venoma stood up. Reema was shaking as she kept looking around. Teela took one of the leaves from Venoma as he smiled at her.
"Thank you," Teela whipered slightly as Venoma just nodded in understanding. Reema grabbed the leaf, and set them down on the ground.
"Alright... Can anyone get me some water?" Reema asked as Teela nodded her head.
"What type?"
"Salt water; I know it's a lot to ask, but can you?"
"Yeah, Teela and I can get it," Venoma chimed in as Teela turned to look at him.
"No, I want to go alone. I can take care of myself..." She then reconsidered the thought.
Why do you want to come?
Because.
Because why?
To help you. I don't want anything to happen to you.
I can handle myself quite well.
But-but...
Is that not the reason? Teela could sense the nervousness in his tone of thought.
Ah... Yes, it is... Venoma was lieing, and it was so obvious...
Rigghhtt... Alright, you can come... Wait, you have to watch Reema!
Yes, that's right. What about tonight? What you said earlier? What you wanted to show me? That surprise that persuaded me not to go take a walk...
Yes, the special surprise that you were laughing slightly at. That's the only thing you would stay for; I guessed you like surprises. Yep, I have something in store... Heh... I just don't want you to leave.
What is it? Oh, and I just wanted to take a walk!
Wait, and see...
Huh... Alright... Venoma was wondering what the surprise would be. It probably wasn't what he could imagine though...
"What are you two rattling about in your heads?" Reema interrupted as she stood up. "You do want them alive, right?"
"I'm sorry... Yes, I realize we haven't much time. I'm going, Venoma is staying to watch you."
"Geez, you still don't trust me, do you?" Reema had a charming look on her face as she flipped her hair in ignorance.
"Of course not..." Venoma said as Teela wasn't up for answering. She just closed her eyes, and disappeared.
"She was able to do it a lot faster earlier..." Reema commented as Venoma sat down, checking Ludwig's bandage.
"To save you. She was probably worried, and doesn't want you dead. What were you here for again?"
"She left her stuff in that basement of her old home... and I brought it back. It's over there in that bush if you wanna check it out..."
"Check it out? Hmm... My curiousity is ringing badly..." He then headed towards the little backpack as Reema stopped him.
"You're actually going to? Geez! That is a total invade of privacy!" Reema smiled an evil grin as Venoma stopped.
"Yeah, it's not right..." He then sat down, feeling that feeling of bordom pass through him.
"So? I'd like to see what's in there." Reema smiled as Venoma shook his head.
"No."
"Fine then..."
_
Setting: Island Edge where Teela's boat was, Time: 11:54 AM
"Salt water... Easy to find." Teela had transported to the island once again. Scattered acrossed the shore were plenty of coconuts, some cracked open already. "Too bad I forgot Chirpy..." She sighed, knowing how much Chirpy liked it there.
Teela picked up one of the cracked coconut shells, and walked over to the edge of the water. The wind blew as she felt the breeze ruffle her hair as if it wanted to say something. Although Teela would love to listen, she hadn't the time.
Teela carefully knelt down into the water as she filled the coconut shell with the salty sea water. It would have been so relaxing if only life was fair...
_
Time: 11:54 AM
"Reema?" Venoma looked lost in thought as Reema sat there peeling the leaves and the ivy. Each strand turned out very fine as she felt one with her fingers. Reema looked up, her hair shining. Venoma was sitting there, his claws in his lap, staring off into the sky.
"What is it?" She continued to peel the ivy as he laid back to stare even further into the seemingly endless blue sky of Plit.
"Do you honestly care about what happens to Teela? If she was about to fall into an endless void or something, would you rescue her?"
"Nope," Reema replied simply as Venoma managed to laugh a little.
"You're kidding, right?"
"Look, Freak-boy. If you want to die, say the word, and I'll be happy to kill you." Reema was being very harsh, but Venoma didn't really care.
"You're dark-hearted."
"Nope. I just don't care much for demons, especially those who killed."
"Teela never killed anyone."
"Yes she did."
"Geez, you believe anything and everything, don't you?"
"Only what I know is true!" Reema argued as Teela then appeared with a coconut in her hands. "Oh no... She can't even tell the difference between salt water and a coconut?"
"OH, and you can't even tell there's water in the coconut!" Teela argued as Reema just smiled lightly. Venoma rolled his eyes as he turned and crossed over to the bushes. He picked up Teela's bag with one claw as Teela walked over to him.
"Here. I resisted looking inside..."
"Thanks." Teela then nodded and smiled as she closed her eyes gently.
You're going to love your surprise!
What is it?
Just meet me by the cliff tonight, alright?
You ain't setting a trap for me, are you?
Do friends do that?
No...
Well then that's your answer.
Geez... Alright.
Later.
"WHAT ARE YOU TWO TALKING ABOUT IN YOUR HEADS NOW?" Reema shouted as Teela handed her the coconut.
"Hurry up, please," Venoma pleaded as Reema mixed the smashed and ripped pieces into the water.
"Alright. I've mixed the water, and all the properties have mixed. Teela, remove the bandages off of Ludwig, will you?"
"Sure." Teela walked over to Ludwig's unconscious body, and started to remove the bloody bandages. The smell ripped through the air, and flared through everyone's nostrils. Teela seemed to cringe at the smell as Reema and Venoma didn't even flinch. It had no affect on them at all.
When Teela removed the last leafy bandage, Reema took the coconut and started to pour it on the open wound.
"Why salt water?" Venoma piped up curiously as Reema turned, flippng her hair behind her.
"To dry up the blood that has come out. Its content of salt is just enough to dry up the blood, and the plants we put in will make it heal when their natural chemical properties meet and combine."
"You're very smart. Thank you for bringing my stuff to me... Reema. You're a good friend."
"I'm not your friend, demon." Reema had that creepy tone in her voice that told Teela to back off.
"Very well then," Teela retorted softly as she crossed her arms stubbornly. Reema then stood up from kneeling next to Ludwig. She held the rest of the water medicine and dumped it onto Karma.
"She should be just knocked out. Although I don't know why..."
"I don't know..." Teela once again sounded softly as she kneeled down by Karma. She laid her hand on Karma's head as she sighed. "A little cold, but I don't think she's going to die. Her skin is holding its color, and she doesn't feel like ice."
"Of course she won't die. I made the medicine, and so it will work. I'm number one in the entire training school."
"You mean, number two? I defeated you!" Teela argued as she stood up and walked over to Reema. The two were in each other's faces, scowling. Venoma walked over to them and tried pulling them apart, but it wasn't working too well.
"You know what? LET'S SETTLE THIS NOW! Get your sword, and let's fight, you demon!" Reema shouted as Venoma pulled Teela back.
"Don't do it! Come on, you two! Call it a truce for now! You can fight later when we find my sister! And when Karma and Ludwig are back on their feet!" Venoma argued as Teela stopped struggling against his strong claws. He could have easily ripped through her throat if he really wanted to.
"WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR SISTER?" Reema yelled as Teela grew angry again, Venoma restraining her once more.
"I DO!" Teela yelled as Venoma held her tightly. "LET ME GO!!!"
"I'm stronger than you."
"No you're not. If she wanted to break away, well then, believe me, she could," Reema argued as Teela started to glow an orange color. Venoma then let go as she let her shoulders sag. She then went back to Karma.
"Please Karma..." Teela then started to shake Karma as she opened her eyes, and blinked.
"T-Teela?" Karma then coughed a little as she tried to sit up.
"Don't move, or you might hurt yourself," Teela replied as Karma sat up anyway. She glanced around as Ludwig was starting to wake up, his moanings making it obvious that he was in a lot of pain.
"Ludwig, you could have died," Venoma said a little too shallow because Ludwig started to shake his head.
"That was a nightmare, right?"
"No," Teela replied as she put her hand on Karma's head once again.
"I'm fine, really." Karma pushed her hand away as Teela smiled.
"You're a fighter. But, I am curious as to why you blanked out when Ludwig did." Teela waited patiently as Karma swollowed and cleared he throat.
"I never did tell you before... I... Ludwig and I are Mets."
"WOAH! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" Teela had practically jumped up and down in shock.
"Settle down there, geez. It's the worst thing that could ever happen to me!" Karma replied sourly as she stood up. "I'm serious. That's why I have to stay here."
"I see. You don't like it, do you?" Teela could read her like an open book. Karma sighed as an annoyed look formed on her face.
"Wait! I JUST REMEMBERED SOMETHING! WHERE IS VARA?!" Karma looked around to take some sort of attendance. "Teela, Venoma, Ludwig, and me. Chirpy is in that tree over there, sleeping. But where is Vara? And who's she?" Karma pointed to Reema as Reema rolled her eyes.
"She... was taken." Venoma looked like he was going to sink into tears.
"We tried our best, but then he shot Ludwig near his lungs and we thought he was going to die. You had no open wounds, but the Metbond does explain that." Teela then sat back down as Karma looked at Reema again.
"Yeah, but who on Plit is she?"
"I'm Reema Yoshi."
"But how do-"
"I went to my parents' house in the Illusion Forest, and that's why I left. There I met up with their ghosts, and then I recieved a few... things. Reema tried to kill me, and I tried to kill her. In the end, I left my backpack there, and she traveled all the way here to give it to me since she's such a good friend."
"But didn't you say, wait! You said you had no idea who she is?"
"She tried to kill me. Duh!"
"Then how is-"
"She's not my friend. She saved me in that battle earlier, and so I guess I owe her. I guess I'm staying, but we're not friends and we'll never be friends. She's a demon who kills people-"
"NO I'M NOT! I'M NOT A DEMON AND I'VE NEVER KILLED ANYONE!!!" Teela shouted as she grabbed her blade.
"Woah, woah, woah! In the name of Kastle Koopa, I order you to stop!" Ludwig said strongly as Karma helped him up.
"Fine..."
"What are we going to do now?"
"We're going to-" Teela started saying something, but Karma was practically reading her thoughts.
"Rescue Vara."
"Right..." Teela looked to Reema. "Either you help us, or I kill you. Then I can say I've killed someone. And I can't be arrested for it because you were the one who came after me." Teela gave Reema that smart-alleck look as she smiled. Reema, however, was fuming with rage.
"Fine. Since I was a somewhat friend with that... Vara girl, then I'll help. But first, we'll need a plan." Reema looked to Karma as Karma looked to Teela, who looked to Venoma, who looked to Ludwig, who looked to Karma once again.
"Alright. But, first we'll need to know where they went," Teela commented as they all realized they were doomed.
"Well, we'll just have to wait for them to come back..." Karma added as Venoma shook his head.
"No! It will be too late by then, and I don't want her dead." Venoma then sat down, his shoulders sagging as he looked down to the ground.
"Wait. I have an idea. You see, I sort of got something while I was away. Something that will come in handy."
"What is it?" Ludwig questioned, wondering what on Plit could help them in their moment of crisis.
"Well, they're called the Dice Of Fate. These." Teela picked up her bag, and pulled out a small felt box. She pulled out the black felt bag, and grabbed two small golden dice. "These are the Dice Of Fate. I can have three wishes, and three only. Although, that was all I was told."
"Wait a moment. Those are the actual Dice Of Fate? Where'd you get them?" Venoma questioned as he reached his claw to grab them. Teela grabbed his claw with one hand, and placed the dice in them with the other. Venoma sort of fidgeted as he eyed the dice closely. He handed them back to Teela as she sighed once more.
"My mom gave them to me. Although she told me to be careful for what I wish for. But, wouldn't having three wishes for anything you want, cost something?"
"I don't know. The Dice Of Fate in my time are a legend. People have only heard of them, but no one can locate them," Venoma admitted, as he still seemed in wonder about the dice.
"I've heard of them." Ludwig paused as everyone turned to him, even Reema. "The Dice of Fate involve sacrificing someone in order to get what you want." Ludwig had a serious look on his face, but he was actually thinking, Why'd I get up this morning?
"Sacrifice?" Teela then looked around. No one exactly looked eager at the word...
Hey Venoma...
What?
Surprise... I was going to send you home with these until all of this madness started.
I see. I guess your plan backfired.
I promise that if you don't get home with these dice, I'll find a way to get you back. Either way, I promise to get you home.
Yeah, just don't rip through the dimensions like a crazy fool. Teela started to laugh as everyone else turned to look at her.
"Um... I'm sorry?" Teela then started to think. "Sacrifice, eh? What about-"
"Chirp."
"You?"
"Chirp!" Chirpy had flown out of the tree on Teela's head. Even knowing what it wanted to do, it was still full of glee for some reason.
"Yes? Chirpy, I don't want you to sacrifice yourself. You're Teela's traveling buddy, someone she has to talk to. A friend that she can turn to, and especially when she's not constantly with her friends like other people. You can't." Chirpy then flew over to Venoma.
"Chirp?"
"Will I? No, I have to go back to my own time! There is no way I can stay back here! I have to get home before it's too late." Venoma then looked to everyone. "You know how all the Yoshos are in the future now? Well, we can't bring them here because it would sort of collapse the different ways people think. Then time travel will eventually be found out, and it will be chaos. But you know how we got into the future without wrecking the time pattern?"
"Yeah, come to think of it, wouldn't it change the future?"
"Not if the creatures haven’t yet been adapted into the time arena. When we're first born, the time had exactly two hours to somehow fuse you into the time. But when you time travel, you have about a month before you are then recorded in some invisible book in the time." Venoma had one claw up to his chin like he was some Einstein, but obviously, no one had any idea what he was talking about.
"You mean, no, wait. What were you saying?" Karma had not understood a single word he said.
"Alright, English. Not mumbo jumbo." Venoma corrected himself as he took a deep breath to start to explain in a manner one can understand.
"The Times, Future, Past, and Present, are somewhat more than just time. You see, every creature has an aurora, also called a time protection span. This determines how long you can stay in each time before it actually fuses with your aurora. So, when you're first born, your aurora is mostly plain energy. That means the time protection is very weak."
"Uh-huh. Go on."
"So, the people of the future were able to go into the past and get the freshly laid eggs of the Yoshos to bring them to the future without changing anything. Although, when you're older, your aurora gets stronger and the common person can stay in that time for up to a month. When you're first born, you have exactly two hours before you're actually put into the time to change the future."
Venoma paused, everyone listening contently.
"So, your aurora makes everything you do meaningful, and allows you to live into all the years you live in. Yet if you time travel, your aurora is put under a lot of pressure, and it will eventually break with the time, locking you in the year. If you're locked into that year, you will end up being put into a small dimension pocket where nothing ever happens. Although, you have a certain number of times your aurora can fuse with the time arrays, and rip away from them, and fuse with your original, or another. What makes it possible is your aurora."
"No. What does that have to do with anything?"
"Chirpy asked if I'd stay here with Teela when it's gone. But the problem is your aurora only has a certain numbers of times it can adapt to the times. So, if I stay here, I'll be using one of my two. Then, if I go back to the future I wouldn't have any aurora energy left. Which would mean I would die."
"I see. So, why don't we decide who gets sacrificed by drawing straws?" Karma had a solid look on her face as Reema started to laugh.
"STRAWS?! YOU WANT OUR LIVES TO DEPEND ON STRAWS?"
"I'll go." Teela stepped forward as she held the dice in hand.
"Don't. I'll go then." Venoma said as Teela shook her head.
"No. Someone's future might depend on your present. I'll go."
"Yes, but someone's present may depend on your future."
"You said the same thing I did, except backwards." Teela smiled, then she looked around.
"Don't do it. You were like my only friend." Karma looked to Ludwig.
"Um... Yeah, you made Karma happier."
"Perhaps if we talk to the wish granter, they will let us go without a sacrifice," Reema suggested as Teela looked at her like she was crazy.
"You don't want me to go, do you?"
"Yes, I do. But no one else here does, so I guess perhaps I should go."
"No, Reema. Even though perhaps I'm the only one who wants you to stay, you're not going anywhere. Your dreams of someday being one who saves the world really mean something to me. Too bad I can't figure out what." Teela smiled once more as she held up the dice in her hand, and tossed them on the ground.
Everyone was wondering, was this the only way?
The dice practically exploded as they let out a jet of colorful lights. The dice themselves then shot out a line of pure white light that fired straight into the sky. The sky turned a burning red color as a lightning bolt struck, leaving a cloud of smoke to cover the area.
"NOW WHAT?" Reema asked as she stood perfectly still, straining her vision to try and see.
"Everyone! Just stay still!" Teela shouted as she, too, was trying to see through the piles of dirt cloudy smoke.
The smoke clear as everyone seemed perfectly still. Perhaps they could have been classified as frozen in time.
In front of them lay a huge beast-like tiger. It had two scaly wings that were glowing neon purple, as feathers erupted from all over its body. Its body was then a tiger with two wings, and a tail that looked like a scythe. Then, more changes began. The body started to lose the feathers to reveal fur of a tiger. The wings grew longer as the tiger grew bigger. The tail got sharper as stalagmite-like thorns formed all over the tiger's back. It then stretched, knocking over a tree of two.
"I AM TYSUS! I SHALL GRANT THOU BEARER THREE WISHES IN EXCHANGE FOR BLOOD. WHO SHALL SUMMONTH ME HOLD UP THOUGH OFFER, OR PERISH!"
"Sorry, no offer today, chum!" Reema yelled as she picked up her axe off the ground.
"TEELA! STOP HER! NO ONE HAD EVER FOUGHT TYSUS AND LIVED TO TELL THE TALE! What? NO! WE CAN FIGHT HIM! LETS DO IT!"
"FIGHT!" Teela had her sword already in hand as she twirled it around with ease. "One more, and we're coming to get you Vara," Teela whispered silently as Venoma shook his head in shame against the idea. He held up his claws in a battle position as Ludwig had his bow and arrow ready.
"HEY LUDWIG!" Reema shouted as she rushed over to him. "Let's trade. My axe for your bow."
"Sure!" Ludwig handed her the bow and arrow as he grabbed the heavy axe. But as soon as Reema let go of it, it fell to the ground. He couldn't lift it up. "HEY!!!"
"Swing it around if you can't lift it up by just plain holding it!" Reema suggested as the tiger started to try to squish them all with its paw.
"BAD DAY, BAD DAY, BAD DAY!!!" Teela screamed as she then looked at the tiger. It was enjoying this, obviously.
Karma had been punching and kicking the tiger beast's paws every time they came down. It wasn't affecting it very much either, and that was not good.
"WHAT DO WE DO?" Karma screamed as Teela knew she should have listened to Venoma. No, she couldn't give up now! It was too late.
Teela grabbed her sword, and told Ludwig to swing the axe right over the creature's paws. Ludwig strained to lift the axe up as he started to spin.
"KARMA! HELP LUDWIG WITH YOUR STRENGTH!" Teela shouted as Karma realized she had a plan already. Karma raced over by Ludwig, the axe swinging slowly as she grabbed a hold. Both of them started to go faster, and the axe was getting lighter as it rose into the air.
The creature smiled a notable smile as it started to try to squash Venoma.
"ALL RIGHT! HIT IT WITH ALL YOU GUYS GOT WHEN IT IS IN THE AIR!" Venoma shouted as he started to glow a yellow energy color. The creature was glowing as well as it lifted off the ground little by little.
"NOW!" Karma yelled as they were going so fast that they looked like a blur. Teela backed up a few inches, and pointed the sword right at the creature. She then started to charge, as Karma and Ludwig were getting closer to the beast as well.
Reema had been trying to hit the creature with the arrows, but they just got caught against the leather-like wings, or bounced off the spikes. Now Reema was aiming at the face. She was going to strike at the same time Karma, Ludwig, and Teela did.
"This should work. Great plan, Teela," Reema whispered, as she then drew back her hand a little farther too hold onto the arrow a little firmer.
Teela had aimed for the heart as she lined up exactly with Ludwig and Karma; timing things perfectly should do it.
Venoma was shaking as he clenched his fists to hold on to the energy that the beast was trying so hard to get out of. It seemed that Venoma's magical essence was stronger than the beast's. Yet would he be able to hold it for much longer?
Ludwig and Karma were going so fast, their eyes were tearing. They aimed for the beast's paw that was trying to stomp on Reema now. The beast wasn't very smart, was it? It still struggled against the energy pin that still allowed it to try to squash them all.
"NOW!" Teela yelled as she did a full charge, Ludwig and Karma had the axe that slid into the beast's skin.
"RROOAARRAHH! THAT BURNS!" it yelled as Teela jumped up and stabbed it right through the heart. Reema's arrow had flown right through its nose, and boy was it screaming in pain.
"Three wishes, or else," Teela exclaimed as she pulled her sword out of the beast's chest. It screamed louder, although the words weren't heard anywhere else. The words seemed to be just heard by the surrounding forest.
"A-All right! You guys are demons! That power, the energy! IT'S NOT HUMAN!"
"Yeah, well. We're not human." Karma sighed she rubbed her arms in pain.
"Correct. We aren't demons either. We're normal."
"IMPOSSIBLE! NO ONE NORMAL CAN DEFEAT ME! THERE MUST BE SOMETHING UP HERE!"
"Well, face it. There is nothing abnormal about most of us. We just have brains. Now, wishes, or die," Teela threatened once again as the beast nodded.
"Done. What shall your first wish be?"
"I command you to grant me the wish to be in the area Vara is. But make sure it's somewhere where we're hidden, not out in the open." Teela smiled an awkward smile as she held up her sword.
"Alright. Done! I shall put you in the surrounding forest. Just put that wretched blade away!" the beast demanded as Teela put the sword facing the ground. They then started to glow a green color as Reema looked like she was going to be sick.
"I hate this..." Reema commented as they all then disappeared into the air silently as if they were never there in the first place.