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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2011 18:16:13 GMT -5
In the darkest shadows, a figure remained hidden. Harsh iron claws gripped the hilt of a sort broadsword, while keen red eyes barely glinted, unblinking. Dagmire had his reasons to remain unseen this night, and he had traveled a long way. Even in the kingdom of Kaltay, whispers of this same Usul had spread. Stories told in the darkest evenings over glowing fires and empty tankards.
Aging King Somol had made his instructions precise and clear - find and discern the nature of these tales, and determine if they pose a threat to Kaltay. Though he was large, Dagmire was apt at stealth, so when the Snow Beast appeared and the other creatures of shadow filled the woods, hunting for escapees, he was not found.
Now, however, the Draik had good reason to step forward. The Usul was, for the moment, weakened and distracted. This was his chance.
Slipping from the shadows, the Darigan Draik made his way to the edge of the clearing. In a low voice, he called to those nearest him; The Scorchio's distress was evident, and Dagmire knew his racket could cost them their chance to escape.
"Calm yourself, sir, answers will come in time. For now, safety is greatest concern. We have little time, gather all who are injured and fly to wherever you think is safe. Go!"
The Draik bet his wings hard and soared on an updraft, gliding to where some Gypsies were trapped under a fallen wagon. He heaved at it, digging his claws into the wood. Splintering, the cart rolled away with a crash.
Some were still trapped by the tendrils of wispy shadow. Unsure if it would work, Dagmire drew his sword, flew up to those nearest him and gave the smoke a great slash.
((Edit: Ack, you guys post super fast, and I post turtles! DX Dju, you got your post in before I'd finished mine. ^^;;; Maybe this wasn't such a good idea ...))
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Post by Yoyti on Oct 21, 2011 18:21:35 GMT -5
Tannhauser talked fast. He was still recovering from shock. "Am I the only one who finds it suspiciously convenient that everything you just said we have to take for granted? I have no idea what went on before this... gypsy gathering, and I was away or unconscious for a good amount of time, but I don't know anything about what you're talking about. How does Sophie factor into this? What potion?"
Then he caught sight of the awkward neopets transformed into strange things. "But yes, we should see someone. I would prefer an alchemist, but I suppose a witch will have to do."
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Post by selmette on Oct 21, 2011 18:22:31 GMT -5
((heh, yeah, i won't be able to reply as fast or as frequently as i initially thought. so if i miss any key plot points just assume my characters are derping around in the back))
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2011 18:25:08 GMT -5
((heh, yeah, i won't be able to reply as fast or as frequently as i initially thought. so if i miss any key plot points just assume my characters are derping around in the back)) ((Get your fellas to team up with Dag, since we're both turtles. :3 We can be the Slow-mo plot. =D)) |
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Post by Dju on Oct 21, 2011 19:50:49 GMT -5
((OMG! SO sorry Sarn! XD Maybe I should delete my last post!  ) |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2011 12:56:09 GMT -5
Saeryennan bowed her head slightly. "Forgive me," she said to the Scorchio. "I am Princess Saeryennan of Altador. And the Xweetok...if you mean Xandra...well, she was dressed as Caylis, so now she looks like Caylis...and I think Nyvenne took her to a pond or something."
Indeed Queen Kalara was stuck swimming off of Altador's coast. Kalara wished there was a way to contact the king and tell him what had happened. She did not want to be reported missing.
Xandra's only thoughts were of the gypsy camp and how she wished she could protect those Neopets. And Saeryennan.
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Post by Dju on Oct 22, 2011 13:19:50 GMT -5
"Well, then it's settled!" The gypsy nodded and closed the muddy book. She turned herself to the myserious darigan Draik and bowed. "Thank you so much for helping my family, if it wasn't for you I'd never be able to find them under the wagon! Would you like to come with us? The usul said Sophie created the potion in the first place, perhaps she knows the cure..."
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Post by Yoyti on Oct 22, 2011 13:35:51 GMT -5
"I'd suspect otherwise," admitted Tannhauser. "Sophie is not evil. She would may have made the potion work only temporarily, so it would not need curing. And, of course, the Shadow Usul could have made the effects permanent. However, perhaps Sophie can help us. What say you, Princess?"
Then, Tannhauser spotted his briefcase lying on the ground. He rushed towards it, putting everything back into place and making sure nothing was missing. "I really ought to find a lock for this thing," he muttered under his breath.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2011 17:25:30 GMT -5
"Yes," Saeryennan said. "We have to go find the antidote! Then, we need to get to wherever my mother and Xandra are and save them!"
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Post by Fang of the Dead on Oct 23, 2011 18:18:00 GMT -5
"I won't betray Lord Darigan! Not now, not ever! ... Huh?" Ashlynne looked around. The tendril had released her. She looked around to try and see Xandra and Kalara, but all she could see were the Maraquan Aisha sisters. "... Impossible."
It wasn't long before the other members of the party arrived; a White Lupe Knight run out of the woods and helped Ashlynne get up. "Are you all right, old friend?"
Ashlynne dusted herself off before trying to smile. "I'm fine, Hunter. A little drained of energy, and... Where's my staff? It's gone!"
"Maybe I could steal it back for you." A Skunk Zafara was leaning on the back of a gypsy wagon. "I heard Xandra was here, but I don't think she's arrived."
Afterwards, a Striped Xweetok jumped down from a tree, with a massive wing-shaped boomerang strapped to her back? "Did I miss out on the fun?" She winked at Hunter before giving him a hug.
"Well..." Hunter shrugged.
"It wasn't fun, Miraja. The Shadow Usul's far more powerful than I could have ever guessed, and now he has my staff." Ashlynne crossed her arms and looked at the motley assortment of Neopets here.
"So.... Where's Xandra?" Sirocco had wanted to see his girlfriend for a while - he had been off on various heists throughout Neopia.
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Post by Dju on Oct 23, 2011 18:36:11 GMT -5
"The Xweetok you speak of is now under a curse, we don't know exactly what is going on right now, but whatever the Shadow usul is planning, it turned neopets all over Haunted Woods into beasts!" The Gypsy said to the warriors.
"We must go to Sophie, now!"
While that, deep inside the woods a lonely Shadow Usul recovered. For a moment she was exposed to so many chemicals that confused her and made her let her guard down.
"Everything was going so well, everything was so simple. And now that the air faerie took the queen to safety, I'll have to improvise. But she was weak, a terrible queen with no attitude or leadership skills...but I have a plan B. At least I snatched myself a souvenir." The Shadow Usul admired the staff she has stolen from Ashlynne, it was quite big compared to her size. "Now, let's see what you can do..."
She held the staff tightly and suddenly felt stronger, a beam of energy began forming around the staff and suddenly an explosion of light was formed, giving life to trees around her with long arms filled with spikes.
"Looks like this will come in very handy!" She laughed.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2011 18:55:09 GMT -5
"Hunter! M-miraja!" Saeryennan stammered through her tears. "I'm so glad to see you!" She gave Miraja a hug.
She then turned to Sirocco, still crying. A bit more than before, in fact.
"Xandra got turned into Caylis! We have to find her and my mother and save them!"
"Perhaps I can help with that."
The dark figure of a Faerie touched the ground. In her hand was a magical orb she had carved herself. Repleka had, in truth, hoped for a chance to actually have fun, and maybe bring something back for her adopted daughter Miriya and her adopted daughter Naia. At least she would get to be alone for a bit.
But no. This had to happen. Those darn villains! Why could they not leave a Faerie in peace?
Saeryennan looked up at the Darkness Faerie.
"R-repleka...h-hello..."
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Post by Yoyti on Oct 23, 2011 19:10:04 GMT -5
"A thought occurs to me," remarked Tannhauser. "I hope you won't think me a coward for saying this, but, to get to Sophie, we should have to pass through Neovia, correct? Now, I have a job to do in Neovia, and perhaps I could drop out there and allow you all to continue on without me?"
In truth, Tannhauser was worried for his own safety. He had inadvertently caused this Xandra person to turn into Caylis, and he was fairly certain that the gypsies probably didn't like him very much. He most certainly had enemies in the group (so he thought), and the sooner he could get away (and the more convincing his excuse) the better.
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Post by Dju on Oct 23, 2011 19:12:37 GMT -5
"Right...I don't want to be picky and I am glad the friends are reunited, but can we go? I know this is rude, but we must go. Now." The Gyspsy began pulling the neopets inside the woods by force. "My house was liteally turned upside down by a Snow Beast, and I know a gypsy's number one rule is "never make your intetions clear" but this time it's an exception."
"And yes, yes. If you wish to stay, just stay dear green scorchio friend. BUT WE GOTTA GO."
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Post by Fang of the Dead on Oct 24, 2011 10:36:00 GMT -5
Sirocco shrugged. "I'm not terribly keen on passing through Neovia. I had a bad experience there." He then picked up Caylis!Xandra. "But I'll do anything to bring you back to your usual speckled self." Sirocco winked as he lifted Xandra up onto his back.
"And I'd do anything to keep my staff from falling into the wrong hands." Ashlynne tried to cast a spell, but without her staff to focus her innate magic, she didn't have the ability to aim her blasts, and sent a bolt of rune magic at Hunter! "Sorry!"
"WHOA!" Hunter rolled out of the way and picked up his sword. "I hope nobody got hit..."
Miraja continued to hug Saeryennan until the runefire bounced off a tree and hit Miraja on the back of her head! "OOF! Who did that?!"
"Sorry." Ashlynne crossed her arms. "If you hadn't been so late, I might still have my staff."
"Well maybe YOU should look where you aim!" Miraja stomped towards Ashlynne with a few strands of her hair still on fire, before she extinguished them with her hands.
"Maybe YOU should be more careful!" Ashlynne crossed her arms and glared at Miraja, her eyes glowing with anger.
"Yeah, well maybe YOU should have kept a firmer grip on your staff!" Miraja was visibly fuming with anger. As nice as she usually was, she never really was able to hold back her temper.
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