Tuesday, March 31, 2015

The Fools of April

Sapphire, Ruby, and their friends hope you're not too foolish on the first day of April! 


Sunday, March 29, 2015

Ch.23 IvyWood Village - part.2

Sapphire and Mora walked down the path towards the tree house. Sapphire looked around the ancient forest, remembering the pass.

Sapphire: It's strange. The forest seems to be the same. Still cold and dark, yet comforting...

Mora kept quiet and continued walking beside Sapphire.


Sapphire: I remember running along this path with Ruby and our other cousins... playing games, fighting... all seems like it happened yesterday.

Mora's ears pricked up and she started to sniff the air.

Sapphire: ... What's wrong, Mora?

Mora followed an invisible scent towards the tree house. She circled around the ladder and looked up in confusion.

Sapphire: If only you could talk like Fang, you could tell me what's up!

Mora scratched at the ladder and whined.

Sapphire: Ok, ok... I'll climb the ladder, if it makes you happy!

Sapphire climbed the ladder and went inside the tree house. Hex and Silver looked up surprised.

Silver: Didn't expect to see you back this quickly!

Sapphire: Yes, well... where's Boo?

Hex: He said he was out exploring the forest. Our Village is in a field without a tree in sight! It's cool to have a natural roof over our heads for once.

Sapphire: Mora just picked up a strange scent and it followed to here... I was wondering if you saw anything strange or not.

Silver: Not that I know of. Unless UnMythics raiding your house is strange, nothing exciting has happened.

Sapphire: UnMythics... raided the tree house?

Hex: Yes! Isn't that normal for other Villages?

Sapphire: No... it's just your Village that gets attacked on a daily schedule.

Silver: Right... Hex, make a note of that.

Sapphire: Did they take anything?

Hex: Nope. They just asked where they could find IvyWoods Village.

Sapphire: IvyWoods Village... I've heard of it before, but I can't remember where...


Silver: They don't teach us navigation in Darkriver Village. How to scare UnMythics, on the other hand...

Sapphire: ... I'll remember later. Right now, I need to alert Ruby and Midnight.

Hex: Can I help?

Sapphire: Well... I'm not sure...

Silver: Hex, you're not trained for this. Unless you suddenly become the Scarlet Star, you'll be more useful if you stay here and wait for Boo to return.

Hex: But... the Scarlet Star is just a myth!

Silver: You're forgetting WE'RE a myth!

Sapphire: But before we head off, how can I be sure you're any more help than you claim Hex to be?

Silver: I could be a distraction for you to sneak inside the Vampire Lord's training grounds so you can let Ruby and Midnight know what just happened, AND not get caught.

Sapphire: Sounds like you know what you're doing.

Silver: I'm a Pebble Creeper. It's what I do best.

Sapphire: Maybe next time, Hex.

Hex: That's what they all say...

Sapphire and Silver climb down the ladder to Mora, who was now bouncing around with excitement. They dashed off to the Vampire Lord's mansion to Ruby and Midnight.

Sapphire and Silver hid behind a wall near the entrance to the huge mansion.

Sapphire: (whispering) Ok... stick to the plan, don't hurt anyone, and don't get caught!

Silver: (whispering) Don't worry... just do your part and nothing will go wrong.

Silver casually walked out of the shadows and to the guard at the gate A few moments later, Vampire alarms were being sounded and Silver dashed into the busy streets with guards after her at top speeds. 

Sapphire: (thinking) Good... now to sneak in!

Sapphire entered the Vampire Lord's mansion and sneaked into the training grounds.

Sapphire: (thinking) Wow. The Vampire Lord has a really big back yard!

Sapphire explored the training grounds until she found Ruby and Midnight with a blue eagle, showing them some defense movements. Ruby turned around and gave Sapphire a surprised look.

Ruby: Sapphire! What are you doing here?

Sapphire: Sorry to interrupt your training, but I got some interesting news. UnMythics broke into our tree house and asked Hex and Silver where they could find the IvyWood Village!


Ruby: They did WHAT?!

Sapphire: Exactly what I thought! But thankfully Hex and Silver didn't know where IvyWood Village is.

Ruby: First Darkriver, now IvyWood? What are they planning...?

Midnight: ... What now? We're meant to train until moon rise, but... we CAN'T ignore it... what can we do? We're already in enough trouble as it is!

Sapphire: I say you skip the training and let's do another mission!

Ruby stayed silent for a minute before answering.

Ruby: ... Sapphire, ask Grandma for some potions and bombs. Midnight, I suggest you start gathering some gold and silver. I'll let the Vampire Lord know what's going on. We leave in half an hour for IvyWood Village!

Ruby dashed towards the Vampire Lord's mansion, while Midnight and Sapphire sprinted towards Grandma's house.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Ch.23 IvyWood Village - part.1

Midnight, Sapphire, Boo, Hex and Silver followed Ruby through bushes and trees down a path.

Hex: Where are we going again?

Ruby: Because Grandma's house is so small and because there is a lot of us, you guys need somewhere to sleep!

Boo: Couldn't we sleep down in the basement?

Ruby: Not big enough. And you'll like this place much better!

Ruby leads them until they reach a big tree house with a running stream around it.

Ruby: What do you think?

Hex: This is where we'll be staying?

Ruby: Yup! This was me and Sapphire's tree fort when other cousins came to visit!

Sapphire: And since you can't return to your village for a while, it would make a great shelter for you! And as a bonus, it's not that far from Grandma's house!

Silver: That's very generous of you, I'm sure we would all agree. But we couldn't POSSIBLE stay here...

Hex: Why not? I say its perfect!

And saying so, Hex runs up the ladder and up into the tree house. She waves from the balcony and Boo waves back.

Boo: Seems solid enough.

Sapphire: And it should be.

Ruby: We might need to spring clean the place first, but I'm sure you'll fit right in!

Ruby climbed the ladder and entered the tree house. Everyone follows her in.

Silver: Dusty... old... I like it!

Boo: Perfect for a Mist Shooter like me!

Sapphire: What's a Mist Shooter?


Silver: It's the type of class he's in. Our village works differently to most villages you'll come across. As you may know, some UnMythics think our village is haunted, so they come looking for ghosts. And what do we give them?

Sapphire: Uh... Ghosts?

Silver: Exactly. Boo is a Mist Shooter, meaning he has to spray mist over a certain area before the "ghost hunters" arrive. I'm a Pebble Creeper, meaning that I drop stones and bombs nearby the UnMythics that distract them long enough for the Ghost Screamers to get away.

Ruby: And what's a Ghost Screamer?

Hex: They make sounds like crying ghosts. The highest class in our village!

Ruby: I see.

Sapphire: What class are you in, Hex?

Hex: I'm a C-class Bat caretaker. I help feed the bats...

Midnight: Ruby, we really need to go.

Ruby: As much I want to stay and chat, Midnight's right.

Silver: Why do you have to go?

Ruby: We disobeyed Captain Slash and we have to train till moon rise. On the bright side, we rescued Boo, you and a lot of other Vampires!

Hex: He's a mean Captain.

Ruby: I guess he's just following rules.

Ruby and Midnight wave goodbye and head towards the Vampire Lord's training grounds. Sapphire looks around the ancient tree house.

Sapphire: I'll make sure to ask Grandma to give you some make-shift beds.

Boo: Do you think your Grandma could give me some fire powder? I want to make Flash bombs and I think I can find the rest of the items I need in this tree house.

Sapphire: I'll keep that in mind.

Sapphire climbed down the ladder and headed back to Grandma's house. Just before she opened the door, she heard a barking sound and paws pounding on the path. She looked up to see a blood hound running towards her.

Sapphire: Mora! What are you doing here?

The blood hound bounced into Sapphire's arms and knocked her to the ground. Grandma opens the door and Mora rushes in.

Grandma: Is that blood hound yours?

Sapphire: I wish she was.

Sapphire enters the house and Grandma closes the door. Mora bounces around Fang in excitement.

Fang: Why is this hound jumping around me?


Grandma: It seems she likes you, Fang!

Fang: Well, I don't like it!

Sapphire: Be nice to Mora.

Fang: ...

Grandma: Do you know this young pup?

Sapphire: We used her to find the prison where the UnMythics were keeping the Darkriver Vampires, and I guess she tracked us back home?

Fang: Please say we're taking her back to the Hound Trainers...

Grandma: If this blood hound decided to follow Sapphire, she can stay. It might just rush back to Sapphire if we take it back.

Sapphire: YAY!!!

Fang: But... I'm already the pet of the family!

Sapphire: But you're Ruby's pet, not mine. Besides, can you track down UnMythics?

Fang: Technically, no.

Sapphire: Then stop complaining. Just because Mora can do things you can't is no reason to hate her.

Fang scurried up on top of a bookcase and glared down at the hound.

 Sapphire: That reminds me, Boo wanted to ask if you had any fire powder for his Flash bombs.

Grandma: I think I've got some left from my home made Flame Breather potion... Let me go and check.

Grandma went down into her potion lab and brought up a small cloth pouch tied with red string.

Grandma: Give this to Boo next time you see him.

Sapphire: ... What can fire powder be used in?


Grandma: All sorts of things... making fires, fueling bombs of all sizes, making useful potions, and sometimes put into cake and pie for explosive results!

Sapphire: So... we can eat fire powder?

Grandma: Only if it's in food. Eating it on its own would make your mouth burn so badly, you couldn't eat properly for a whole week!

Sapphire: For both Vampires and UnMythics?

Grandma: We believe so. It's happened to Vampires, but I don't think an UnMythic has tried eating fire powder before...

Sapphire: I'll make sure not to try in case it has the same results...

Grandma: Indeed. We wouldn't want your mouth to be burning for a week now, would we?

Sapphire: Probably not.

Sapphire whistled for Mora to follow her, and they left Grandma's house and headed towards the tree house.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Ch.22 Rescue - part.3

Silver dashed through the prison, unlocking cells and doors as she went with Midnight.

Silver: Not much further!

Ruby: Did ANYONE think about how we're going to get Boo?

Midnight: Can blood hounds retrieve Vampires?

Silver: They can resist the cinnamon for a while, but it clouds their smell and it makes it harder to breath.

Sapphire: You won't need Mora to retrieve Boo. I'll get him.

Silver: That's sweet of you, but you wouldn't survive the cinnamon! The hound...

Sapphire: Mora.

Silver: ... Mora can retrieve Boo.

Sapphire: Cinnamon has never stopped me before. Why should it stop me now?

Silver: Midnight, knock some sense into her!

Midnight: No, she's right. No one else could survive the cinnamon except Sapphire!

Silver: But she's a Vampire... isn't she?


Sapphire: Actually, I'm an UnMythic.

Silver: But... why are you helping us?

Sapphire: Even if I hate you, I believe every creature should live in peace. UnMythics, Vampires... doesn't matter! Everyone deserves safety.

Silver: ... You're a strange UnMythic.

Sapphire: And proud of it.

The smell of cinnamon grew stronger as they reached a a dead end.

Silver: Did I mention the door could be camouflaged?

Midnight moves closer to a small lock.

Ruby: Midnight, do you think you can unlock the door?

Midnight: In my sleep!

Midnight starts to use his claws as a lock pick and fiddles with it for a minute.

Silver: Are you done yet?

Midnight: Give me a second... got it!

Ruby: Stand back, everyone...

Everyone takes a few steps back while Midnight quickly throws the door open. Everyone except Sapphire starts coughing.

Ruby: (coughing)  Hurry, Sapphire!...

Sapphire dashes into the sweet smoke. She comes out dragging a black fox that seems to have passed out from the cinnamon treatment. Midnight slams the hidden door shut and everyone takes a deep breath.

Ruby: That's the closest to death I'd like to get to...

Sapphire: Is there a cure for a Vampire that's breathed in cinnamon?

Ruby: That's why Grandma gave me this...

Ruby pulls out a small tied white cloth full of herbs and spices.

Sapphire: Ruby, our Great great great Grandma seems to know what to give you at the right time.

Ruby: She knows a lot of things.

Ruby waved the small bag under Boo's nose. He quickly jumps up.


 Boo: How long have... MIDNIGHT!!!

Boo jumps up and hugs Midnight.

Midnight: Hey, just because I saved you does NOT mean I wanted a hug from you...

Midnight shoves Boo away.

Boo: Is Hex safe?

Midnight: She arrived safely with the message in hand!

Boo heaves a sigh of relief.

Silver: Now is not the time to chat, we need to get out of here!

Ruby: What about the Vampires we didn't save?

Silver: Nothing we can do right now. We'll come back for them!

Silver grabbed Ruby's and Sapphire's arm and dashed down the halls again. Midnight and Boo were close behind with Mora. They burst out the door and ran across the fields as fast as they could. They heard alarms going off louder than ever as they sped away.



Thursday, March 19, 2015

Ch.22 Rescue - part.2

Ruby and Sapphire ran as fast as they could back to Darkriver village.

Sapphire: (panting) Tell me again... why are we doing this?

Ruby: A whole village got captured last night, and we're suspecting the UnMythics did this, and now we're trying to find them!

Sapphire: (panting) How are we going to do that?

Ruby: In theory, We're going to "borrow" a blood hound and track them down!

Sapphire: (panting) That's nice... can I catch my breath now?


Ruby: No time for that! What are you, an UnMythic?

Sapphire: You'd be quite surprised...

Ruby and Sapphire continue running until they crash into Midnight.

Midnight: Glad you could make it, Sapphire! How did you escape your mother?

Sapphire: (panting) By jumping out my bedroom window...

Ruby: So... where are we going to get a blood hound to follow us?

Midnight: I got an idea...

Midnight sneaked out of the bushes and vanished.

Sapphire: Do you think he'll get one?

Ruby: Knowing him, he will whether you like it or not.

A few minutes later, Midnight came back with a yapping blood hound. It bounced around Ruby and Sapphire in excitement.

Sapphire: Why didn't you tell me it was so cute?

Ruby: Forgot to mention it.


Midnight: We need to get ahead of the search team!

Sapphire: ... How are we going to get it to... you know.

Midnight: They're trained to sniff out anything and everything. I was thinking we could just lead it to the trail and it would do the rest.

Ruby: Seems simple enough.

Midnight: Come on, we need to go already! Sapphire, mind leading it?

Sapphire: We need to stop calling this hound a "it". Now let's see...

Sapphire looked at the blood hounds collar.

Sapphire: Her name is Mora.

Midnight: Can we go now?

Sapphire: Fine...

Midnight dashed through the tree's and forest. Ruby, Sapphire and the blood hound were close behind. Eventually, they arrive at the river.

Sapphire: This is a river...?

Ruby: It's so small!

Midnight: It gets bigger in the spring...

Sapphire nudged the hound towards the footprints.

Midnight: Now listen, "Mora"... you need to sniff out some UnMythics and find a lot of Vampires in who knows where...

The blood hound sniff the footprints for a good minute.

Ruby: ... Maybe the scent is too stale for Mora to find anything?


Suddenly, the blood hound let out a howl and darted across the river and up the hill.

Midnight: You were saying?

They all start dashing after the hound.

After twenty minutes of running, they arrive at a big, dark building. Sapphire grabbed hold of the hound before it got any further.

Midnight: So THAT'S where they're keeping them...

 Ruby: That place is HUGE!!!

Midnight: How have I never seen this before...?

They all stared at the prison

Sapphire: What are we going to do with Mora?

Midnight: Take it... I mean, her with us. Of course.

Ruby: How are we going to get in without anyone noticing?

Midnight thought for a minute before answering.

Midnight: We need a distraction.

Just then, there was the sound of guns being fired. A explosion sounded and orders being shouted out.

Sapphire: Will that do?

Midnight: Eh... probably.

Midnight motioned for Ruby and Sapphire to follow him. They all sneaked into the prison and crept through the hallways.

Sapphire: (whispering) This is one creepy jail...

Ruby: (whispering) Tell me about it. I wonder where they keep the keys...?

Midnight: (whispering) Who said we would needed keys?

Ruby: Um... I did.

Alarms start to sound as they turn a corner. They crash into a white deer running at top speeds.

Silver: Oh great... just my...

The deer looked at Midnight closely.

Silver: Are you Vampires?

Midnight: Yes... I'm looking for a black fox named Boo.

Silver: Boo's in danger! And so is the rest of Darkriver!

Midnight: Where is he?

Silver: From what I could gather from the guards, Boo's been put in the "Sweet room".

Midnight: And that means... what?


Silver: He has been put in a small room full of cinnamon. Until he admits whatever information he doesn't have, he will have to stay and breath the fresh scent of death.

Ruby: What kind of information?

Silver: I wish I knew...

Midnight: How long has he been in there?

Silver: We were just minding our own business in our cell until the guard dragged him out. Probably thirty minutes ago, I think...

Sapphire:  How did you escape?

Silver: A guard came round and opened the door again. Before he could react I dashed out.

Ruby:  A little risky, don't you think?

Silver: It was a risk I was willing to take. Besides, they'll just put me back in that dirty cell if they caught me or not!

Midnight: We need to find Boo... times getting wasted!

Silver: Follow me! I think I know a way...

Silver sprinted down the halls with Ruby, Midnight and Sapphire on her heels. Mora slipped and skidded after them.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Ch.22 Rescue - part.1

Boo's head was swirling around in blackness. He heard voices above him and tried to move. He painfully looked up to see Silver standing over him.

Silver: Good morning, sleeping beauty. Glad to see you're up.

Boo slowly rose from the cold hard floor. He looked around.

Boo: Where are we?

Silver: This is what the UnMythics call prison. A living nightmare for the wrong doers of their kind.

Boo: So... this is a dungeon?

Silver: To put it lightly, yes.

Boo: What happened?

Silver: You don't remember?

Boo: It's all a big blur for me...

Silver: The UnMythics attacked us with cinnamon bombs from the sky. Those who weren't unconscious tried to run. A few of us made it, but most of us ended up here. Like you and me.

Boo: How long have I been knocked cold?

Silver: A few hours... hard to tell if you can't see the sun or moon.


Boo: Where's Rowan and Shiver?

Silver: Probably in a different cell. The UnMythics are afraid that if there are too many of us in one room, we'll be strong enough to break out and escape.

The door swung opened and a UnMythic shoved a few bowls full of stew into the cell.

Guard: Enjoy the food, cold blooded insects...

The guard slammed the door shut and walked away.

Boo: The nerve...

Silver: Tell me about it. Just because we're different they think can lock up and control us at a snap of their fingers...

Silver picked up one of the bowls and ate a little. She handed it over to Boo who greatly drank the cold and tasteless stew.

Silver: Better then starving...

Boo: I guess...

Boo put the bowl down for someone else to take.

Silver: I wonder how Rowan is doing...

Boo: You're worried about her?

Silver: She's my sister. I would hope I have feelings for her.

Boo: I'm just worried about Hex...

Silver: She's probably fine... hopefully ran away into the forest getting help.

Boo: But what if she's not fine?

Silver: Boo.


Boo: Yes?

Silver: Be quiet.

Boo: Sorry.

Boo huddled in a corner and fell into a restless sleep.

Early the next morning, the door suddenly opened and the guard walked in. He looked coldly at Boo.

Guard: You're coming with me!

The guard grabbed hold of Boo and dragged him out of the cell.

Boo: Where are you taking me?

Guard: None of your business.

The guard dragged Boo along the hallways of the prison. Boo wildly looked around, seeing Vampires of all ages locked up and cold. Finally, the guard stopped at a door and pushed Boo through it. A shadowy figure stood in the corner behind a desk of books.

Boo: Who are you...? Why am I here?

Shadowy Figure: I'm no one... and you're here to answer some... questions...

Boo: What kind of questions?

Shadowy Figure: I'll be the one asking you... now tell me. Where is the Dragon egg being kept?

Boo: ... I don't know.


Shadowy Figure: Now now... lets not start playing children games, hmm? Tell me the truth...

Boo: Or what?

Shadowy Figure: I can put you in the sweet room... where Vampires who misbehave go!

Boo: We Vampires are honest creatures... we wouldn't tell a lie, even if our lives depended on it!

Shadowy Figure: I think I've heard THAT one before...

Boo: It's true. The Villagers of Darkriver never lie. We're a peaceful village that never fight unless forced to.

Shadowy Figure: You're playing with fire, Vampire... and there is no water to quench it in sight. Are you sure you want to continue?

Boo: There IS no fire to play with!

Shadowy Figure: You leave me no choice... GUARDS!!!

Two guards rushed in and grabbed Boo and dragged him to a nearby room. The room was full of the scent of cinnamon. Boo's vision slowly clouded into blackness.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter
Lullabies, dreams, and love ever after.
Poems and songs with pipes and drums
A thousand welcomes when anyone comes.
That's the Irish for you!

Hope Your St Pat's Day was Tip-Top 
- love Applestorm






Monday, March 16, 2015

Ch.21 Attack at Darkriver village - part.3

Early the next morning, The rescue team arrived at Darkriver village. Ruby and Midnight started to look around the deserted village of the early misty morning.

Ruby: You have friends from this weird village?

Midnight: I know it's hard to believe, but yes... yes I do...

Ruby: So this town acts like it's haunted...

Midnight: To put it lightly, Yes.

Ruby: Wow... I almost believe it!

Midnight: IS ANYONE HERE?

Midnight's echo sounded through the abandoned village.

Midnight: ... Nothing...

Ruby: A true ghost town!

Midnight: Let's try Boo's house... maybe he's home?

Ruby follows Midnight until they reached a smallish house. Midnight knocks, but no one answers. He opens the door and enters. Ruby follows close behind.

Midnight: Boo? Are you here...?

The silence was deafening to Midnight.

Midnight: Boo, if you're here... I'd like to see you!


Nothing stirred.

Midnight: Something terrible happened...

Ruby: ... Is it me, or do I smell the faint death aroma of cinnamon?

Midnight sniffed the air.

Midnight: Yes... I smell it too!

Ruby: We better not smell too much of it... possibility of death could be high if we stay here for long!

Midnight looks through Boo's things, but nothing of interest was found.

Ruby: ... Come on, Midnight... let's keep looking through the village.

Midnight sighs and goes back outside. They continue looking.

Ruby: What in the Vampire Lord's name happened here...?

Midnight: I wish I knew... I wish I knew...

A cold wind blew through the deserted village.

Midnight: Why would anyone attack this peaceful village? Not many UnMythics know that Vampires live here anymore...

Ruby: It could be anything, Midnight! But I have a feeling Mayor Irontail is involved in this...

Midnight: I'll kill her if she's done anything to Boo. As childish as he is, he's a friend.

Ruby: No need to go crazy, Midnight! We don't know anything yet...

Ruby sniffed the air again. She stopped walking. Midnight stops beside her.

Ruby: The smell of cinnamon is getting stronger, Midnight. We need to head back.

Midnight: But...

Ruby: I know this is hard for you, Midnight... but we can't help anyone if we're six feet under.

Ruby looks at Midnight with sympathy. She gently takes his arm and leads him away and back to Captain Slash.

Ruby: Anything?

Slash: Not a soul... Sorry to disappoint.

Jack quietly walks up to Ruby and Midnight

Jack: We can't get any further than the middle of the town... the cinnamon is too strong to go any further!

Ruby: What about a flying squad?

Slash: Tried that. Still too strong.

Midnight: They must've attacked from above...

Jack: Most likely, Yes.

Midnight: The cowards...


Slash: Sorry, boy. After the cinnamon has cleared, we'll have a better look! Maybe something will show by then!

Midnight: But anything could've happened to them by then!

Slash: Sorry. It's all we can do right now... MESSENGER!!!

A white eagle rushed up to Captain Slash.

Slash: Give this message to the Vampire Lord! And make it quick!

Slash handed a letter to the bird. The eagle nodded and flew off at top speed.

Ruby: Face it Midnight. There is no trace of anything...

Midnight: ...

Ruby: ...

Midnight: ... Has anyone checked by the river?

Slash: I sent out a ground squad to check it out. They haven't returned, yet.

Midnight: Ok... just wanted to know.

Slash: This is a big mystery to all of us, Midnight. Not just you.

Midnight: Yeah. I know...

Ruby: We must be missing something... there has to be something we overlooked!

Slash: We'll be here all day if we look under every stone and blade of grass! And we may not have any more clues then we did before!

Just then, a group leader rushed up and saluted to Slash.


General Pine (green lion): Sir! Found footprints by the river! But no trace of where they were heading or coming from!

Slash: Hmm... interesting... Good work, Pine! Send out the hounds when ready!

General Pine: Yes sir!

The leader saluted to Captain Slash again and started barking orders at his group. They all turn to their tasks.

Ruby: Well... it's better than nothing!

Midnight: But not good enough...

Slash: Cheer up, lad! If we have footprints, the blood hounds will find the path!

Midnight: So you say...

Slash: You've done all you can, boy. You and the kangaroo head back to Everwinter Forest and do more training.

Ruby: I have a name, you know...

Midnight: But I want to stay here! I need to stay here!

Slash: Go back and train... and THAT'S an order!

Ruby rolls her eyes and starts walking back. Midnight follows her until they reach the forest.

Ruby: ... What's wrong? We need to go back and train!


Midnight: I'm staying here.

Ruby: You're stubborn, Midnight...

Midnight: Maybe that's a good thing!

Ruby: ... You go on ahead. I'll get Sapphire and catch up to you!

Midnight nods and quietly dashes to the river. Ruby heads over to Sapphire's house

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Ch. 21 Attack at Darkriver village - part.2

 Earlier that evening, Far away in the Village of Darkriver, Boo was peacefully enjoying himself by making small bombs.

Boo: A little bit of fire powder... and... that makes seven bombs!

Just then, Boo's door opened and Hex rushed in.

Hex: Boo! It's an emergency! An emergency!

Boo: Calm down, what are you talking about?


Hex: Code Twilight! CODE TWILIGHT!!!

Boo: Why didn't you tell me sooner?! Quick! Get these bombs to the Pebble Creepers!

Boo shoved the small bombs to Hex and she dashed back outside. Boo quickly picked up a small smoke gun and dashed out with her.

Boo: Where are they heading? How many are there?

Hex: At least a few dozen! Coming straight downhill and across the river!

Boo: We'll make sure to give them the fright of their lives!

Hex: But they're armed! With cinnamon! And poisonous bombs!

Boo: We can fight fire with fire...

A grey wolf holding stones rushed in beside Boo. He make a soft cheering noise.

Shiver (grey wolf): This is the biggest party we've ever faced in our lives, Boo!

 The wolf looked up worried.

Shiver: We might need to retreat if they start playing dirty!

Boo: The only ones playing dirty are us...

Hex: Boo! You remember what dad told us!

Boo: Yeah, yeah... I know. But he isn't here, so how would he know?

Hex: I'll tell mum about that!

Boo: She'll be too busy celebrating our victory to notice.

There was a sudden chilly wind sweeping through the village. A white and red deer holding more stones came into view.

Rowan (red deer): Come on, Shiver! We're taking the east forest side this time!

Hex: I want to come with you! Please, Silver! Please take me with you!

Silver (white deer): Sorry, short stuff. You're still a C-class bat caretaker! You need to spook up the bats before the UnMythics arrive!


Hex: But it's not fair... Can't I play hide and shriek with you?

Silver: Life isn't fair, Hex. Maybe when you're a little older, smarter, and faster I'll take you to play with the UnMythics! Hide and shriek is a hunt or be hunted game! Too dangerous for you at your age.

Hex: I'm not that young... am I?

Silver: Sorry, but rules are rules... My hands are tied. You understand, don't you?

Rowan: Boo, you're up front! They need you for extra misting! We need to break up the party so they can be frightened more easily!

Boo: Rodger!

Boo dashes through the now clouding mist and heads for the bushes. There was a shout from the hilltops and the sound of feet pounded the ground. Boo started shooting out a cold and eerie mist from the gun he was holding. A thick cloud of fog covered his area as splashing sounds started to sound in the area.

Strange voice: This is the place, boys! We need to capture as many Vampires as possible before the war starts. Victory depends on it... GET TO IT!!!

The sound of feet sounded again as the UnMythics entered the Village. Boo quietly sneaked into the Village again where he found Hex and the other bat caretakers.

Boo: (whispering) Hex! You need to get out of here! NOW!!!

Hex: (whispering) Why?

Boo: (whispering) The UnMythics don't plan to search for ghost... they plan to capture Vampires! You need to get help!

Hex: (whispering) How am I suppose to do that?

Boo: (whispering) There is a village beyond the green fields and in a forest near here... Midnight comes from that Village! You need to see the Vampire Lord in that Village and give them this message!

Boo quickly wrote down something and gave it to Hex.

Boo: (whispering) Don't look back, Don't stop, and don't get caught!

Hex: (whispering) But...

Boo: (whispering) I know this is sudden, but trust me... Now go! Time is getting wasted!

Boo pushed Hex in the direction of the Everwinter Village and she started running. Boo quietly dashed over to where the Shiver was.

Boo: (whispering) Shiver! We need to get out of here!

Shiver: (whispering) Why do you say that?

Boo: (whispering) This isn't a ghost searching party! This group of UnMythics that plan to CAPTURE Vampires!

Shiver: WHAT?!


Boo hits Shiver over the head.

Boo: (whispering) Quiet! We need to warn the others before its too late!

There was a massive explosion and the sweet smell of cinnamon went through the village.

Shiver: Cinnamon... bomb.

Hiding Vampires started to cough loudly while others tried to flee from it. Boo's vision slowly clouded into blackness.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Ch. 21 Attack at Darkriver village - part.1

Late that night, Grandma and Midnight heard a knock on the door. Grandma rose up to answer it. A purple fox was holding a note.

Hex: Do you know how I can find a black cheetah named Midnight Darkmoon?

Grandma: He's right here! Why do you need him?

Hex: It's an important message! Please let me in...

Grandma opened the door widely for the purple fox and she dashed in. Midnight stood up, surprised.

Midnight: Hex?

Grandma: Do you know each other?

Midnight: She's a friends younger sister... What are you doing here? And where's Boo?

Hex: I... don't know.

Midnight: What do you mean, Don't know? Isn't he in your village?


Hex: I don't know! He might be, but... I don't know!

Grandma: What's that you got there?

Hex: A message for Midnight...

Hex handed Midnight the piece of paper.

Midnight: "Dear Midnight. The Village of Darkriver is in danger! We need your help! Your friend, Boo"...

Midnight looked at Hex, expecting her to say something.

Hex: ... He just gave me that note and told me to run as fast as I could, never look back, and to never get caught... I don't know anything else! And Boo wanted you to tell the Vampire Lord in this village about it as well!

Midnight: I'll tell him as soon as I can.

Hex: My village could be in danger! You have to hurry!

Grandma: It's alright, child... You look like death! Have you had any sleep in the last twelve hours?

Hex: I haven't had any sleep since last night...

Grandma: Come now... Hex, was it? Let's get you to bed . You need some sleep! I'll make you a bed down in my potion lab... don't worry! It's warm and safe down there.

Grandma led the little purple fox down to her basement. After a few minutes, Grandma came back up.

Grandma: Poor child... probably had to run for hours without rest!

Midnight: But the Village of Darkriver is peaceful... The only visitors are ghost hunters, and usually they run scared after a look around!

Grandma: I see...

Midnight: And why would Boo send his little sister to ask for help?

Grandma: Maybe he was just trying to protect her?


Midnight: Then he would've came with her! Boo isn't the kind of Vampire to trust other people to do his work for him... Something must've happened!

Grandma: Indeed... you need to tell the Vampire Lord about it!

Midnight: Ok. But I'm worried about Boo...

Midnight took the note and dashed out of the house towards the Vampire Lord's mansion.

Midnight burst through the Vampire Lord's doors. The Vampire Lord looked up surprised.

Midnight: I apologize for the rude entering, powerful Vampire Lord... but the Village of Darkriver is in trouble!

Vampire Lord: Please explain, Midnight Darkmoon...

Midnight: Well... I just got a message from a friends sister saying that the Village is in danger!

Midnight showed the Vampire Lord the note Hex gave him. The Vampire Lord looked at him suspiciously. 

Vampire Lord: And how can you be so sure? We have had no messages from there in a few days...

Midnight: Little Hex Fadehill ran all the way from Darkriver to Everwinter forest ALL NIGHT. Without ANY sleep for the past twenty four hours!

Vampire Lord: Calm down, young Midnight... I was just want to know for sure. We've had fake alarms before, and I just want to know if this is true. I'm just doing my job.

Midnight: I'm sure this is no joke.

The Vampire Lord thought for a minute.

Vampire Lord: We'll send troops tonight. Thank you for letting this come to my attention, Midnight.

The Vampire Lord yelled out a command and Captain Slash rushed in.

Slash: Yes, M'lord?

Vampire Lord: Send out troops to Darkriver village! We have an emergency! You leave now. Time's of the essence!

Slash: Yes, Sir!

Slash turned back and started yelling orders at the top of his voice.

Vampire Lord: You'll go with them on the journey.

Midnight: But... what about Ruby?


Vampire Lord: Ruby Deathdancer can come if she wishes. You'll be leaving shortly. I suggest you hurry.

Midnight: Yes sir!

Midnight dashed out and back to Grandma's house.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Ch.20 Trader Daria - part.2

Ruby, Sapphire and Midnight continue walking until they reached Grandma's house. Grandma looked up from drinking tea.

Grandma: Hello, Ruby! Good evening Midnight and Sapphire!

Ruby: Hello Grandma...

Grandma: Whats wrong? Something on your mind?

Midnight: It's a riddle Daria gave us.

Ruby and Sapphire glared at Midnight.

Midnight: ... What? She asked us what was wrong!

Ruby: I thought we agreed not to ask Grandma for help!

Midnight: I don't remember agreeing to anything like that...


Ruby: We don't WANT help, and we don't NEED help.

Midnight: If that was true, we would've figured it out by now.

Ruby: Do you know what the answer is then?

Midnight: Well... no, not really.

Grandma: Alright, alright... stop making a fuss and tell me whats going on!

Midnight: Trader Daria promised us that if we gave her the answer to a riddle, she would give us anything we wanted from her store for free.

Grandma: And what's the riddle?

Ruby: Me and Sapphire can find the answer on our own! Come on, Sapphire.

Ruby and Sapphire go outside and back into the forest.

Grandma: How does it go?

Midnight: "You always take us down when we are in our prime. Devour your sweet rewards, but I'll be back in time. A child of mine will rise out of his rotten bed. Up from a hidden pit long after I am dead".

Grandma: ... I can see why you're having trouble. Now lets see...

Grandma and Midnight talked about the riddle and after some time, Midnight was satisfied with his answer. Meanwhile, Ruby and Sapphire were trying to solve it on their own.

Ruby: Devour your sweet rewards... devour your sweet rewards...

Sapphire: ... I got nothing. Maybe we should ask Grandma to give us a hint? You know... to put us on the RIGHT track.

Ruby: Where did Daria get this riddle, anyway?

Sapphire: I have no idea...

Ruby: We're never going to get this riddle...

Sapphire: ... want some fruit?

Ruby: We don't have time for...


Ruby suddenly got up.

Ruby: SAPPHIRE, YOU'RE A GENIUS!!!

Sapphire: That's what they all say. I still don't feel any smarter knowing that, though!... Um... Why am I a genius?

Ruby: That's the answer to the riddle!

Sapphire: Fruit?

Ruby: YES!!! "You always take us down when we are in our prime"! We take down fruit from trees when its ripe!

Sapphire: "Devour your sweet rewards, but I'll be back in time" is when we eat the fruit and the tree grows more! You're right, I am a genius!

Ruby: One problem. We don't know what kind of fruit it is.

Sapphire: Hm... well, it must be a fruit with a pit inside... Maybe a peach?

Ruby: What's a peach?

Sapphire: Come on! I happen to know someone who has a peach tree in their backyard!

Sapphire grabbed Ruby's arm and ran towards their destination.

After a while, Ruby and Sapphire arrived back to Trader Daria.

Trader Daria: Ah, I see you return! Tell me. Have you brought the solution?

Ruby: We have. Show her, Sapphire!

Sapphire tossed the fruit to Daria.

Trader Daria: So... Which one of you figured it out?

Ruby: Well... Sapphire and I were trying to find the answer, and she asked me if I wanted some fruit, and... the answer was just so simple!


Trader Daria: And what do you want, Sapphire? Do you want something from my vast collection, or is it something else...?

Sapphire: I don't know what I want, to be honest...

Trader Daria: Why were you helping your friend in finding out the answer to a simple riddle...?

Sapphire: I don't know... I just wanted to help her out because she wanted something so badly, I guess.

Trader Daria: And you feel glad knowing you've completed this small quest in your heart?

Sapphire: If you put it that way... yes!

Trader Daria: Tell you what. I'll give you the first book of my latest adventure series : Blood Moon, Red River. I'm not even selling it to the public, yet!

Sapphire: You'd really give that to me?

Trader Daria: Sure I would! You're something, Sapphire... something different from everyone else. You may not be a Dragon master, or a brave fighter... but something tells me you're gonna go far.

The trader handed over the book to Sapphire and Shadow Warriors Book 7 to Ruby.

Trader Daria: I hope we cross paths again one day, young Vampires.

Ruby: Maybe we will!

Trader Daria: May your lucky stars be with you!

Ruby and Sapphire waved goodbye and headed back to Grandma.

Grandma: Hello again...

Ruby: Sorry, can't talk! Need to find out what happened! Good night Grandma, good night Sapphire! And let me borrow that book when you're finished, Ok?

Ruby raced upstairs and into her room. Grandma looked at Sapphire.

Grandma: Did you get what you came for?

Sapphire: Oh yeah. And a little extra sauce to go with it.

Sapphire waved goodbye and Grandma and headed back home.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Ch.20 Trader Daria - part.1

Later that evening, Ruby sat reading some books peacefully, until Midnight and Sapphire burst through the door.

Midnight: Ruby! Guess what?

Ruby looks up from reading her book.

Ruby: I can't guess, Midnight. Please tell me.

Midnight: Trader Daria is in town!

Ruby: Really?

Ruby instantly drops her books in a flash and stands up.

Ruby: Where is she? Does she have any new books for me to read? I need book seven of Shadow Warriors!

Midnight: Calm down, Ruby. Daria is going to set up her wares at the night markets this evening!

Sapphire: You read books, Ruby? Since when...?

Ruby: I had a lot of spare time for the past eight years, I'll have you know. I had to do SOMETHING in my time!

Sapphire: I guess... but I don't get it... why get so over excited about a traveling trader?

Midnight: I don't get what I scream is.

Sapphire: Ice cream. It's ice cream.

Midnight: That's what I said. I scream.

Sapphire sighs and looks at Midnight in disappointment.

Sapphire: Next time I take you somewhere, I'll make sure it's cake shop.

Ruby: I've read all six books of Shadow Warriors, now I need the seventh : Black Mysteries! I need to know what happened to...

Sapphire: Don't spoil it. If it's as good as you make it sound, I want to borrow the collection. Starting with the first one!

Ruby: Well... I'll give you the first two books. But you have to return book three of Ocean Depths. You borrowed it and never gave it back!


Sapphire: I still have it? I kinda forgot to read it after all those years... Can I still keep it for a while? I'll let you borrow the Forest Justice series!

Ruby: I've already read all of them.

Sapphire: Um... You can have Cloudless Sky, book five! I never liked it that much, and I got a lot of other books to read!

Ruby: Already have it. And I thought you gave it away to someone else a long time ago...

Sapphire: Oh, that's right! I did... Well... I can give you Bat Trainer, book eleven!

Ruby: Don't want it. Already read that a long time ago, and I think I'm not fit for training bats at the moment.

Sapphire: You drive a hard bargain... Fine! How about I return Blazing Feathers, book one? You said you lost yours and I've read it a hundred times by now!

Ruby: Deal!

Ruby and Sapphire shook hands.

Midnight: ... Can we go already?

Ruby: To where?

Midnight: The night markets, of course! Where else? We can have a sneak peek to see what she has to sell!

Ruby: Ok!

Ruby grabs Midnight and Sapphire's arm and races across to the night markets. They arrive to see everyone preparing items among the tables.

Ruby: I wonder where she is...?

Sapphire: Why is this Maria Vampire so famous?

Midnight: It's Daria. She travels across the Island and collects all sorts of stuff! Facing dangers at every turn, venturing across the sea to different lands!... And she's also a famous writer.

Sapphire: So she wrote the so called Shadow Warriors series?

Ruby: Yup! Popular with Vampires at all ages! A lone wolf adventuring into the unknown... UnMythics hunting him wherever he goes! No food, no shelter...

Sapphire: Ok, ok. I get it.

Midnight: Is that her, over there?

Ruby: Where?

Midnight dashes ahead and stops at a table where a black giraffe was setting up books.

Midnight: Are you by any chance Trader Daria?


Trader Daria (black giraffe): Yes, that's me.

 Ruby and Sapphire catch up to Midnight.

Trader Daria: What can I do for you kids?

Ruby: When are you going to open? I really want the next book of Shadow Warriors!

Trader Daria: I'm opening at moon rise, love. You're gonna have to wait a little longer!

Sapphire: When does the moon rise, anyway?

Midnight: judging by how low the sun is, probably half an hour at most.

Trader Daria: Ah, someones been doin' their homework! Tell you what. If you can solve this riddle, I'll give you anything from my shop!

Ruby: For free?

Trader Daria: Yes. For free. Anything free of charge! Are you ready, kids?

They all nod.

Trader Daria: You always take us down when we are in our prime. Devour your sweet rewards, but I'll be back in time. A child of mine will rise out of his rotten bed. Up from a hidden pit long after I am dead.

Ruby: Woah...

Trader Daria: Bring me a solution, and I'll give you the next book of Shadow Warriors and anything else you want!

Ruby, Sapphire and Midnight all walk away from the noisy markets and into the peaceful forest.

Sapphire: What do you think it could be?

Ruby: ...

Midnight: Hey, Ruby! You're good at riddles and puzzles! What do you think it is?

Ruby: I don't know... "You always take us down when we are in our prime"... I don't know what that means!

Sapphire: Well... the next part was "Devour your sweet rewards, but I'll be back in time"...

Ruby: ...

Midnight: That's too difficult. Whats the next part?

Ruby: "A child of mine will rise out of his rotten bed".

Sapphire: A rotten bed? You mean like a wooden bed? Or maybe a coffin?

Ruby: Maybe, seeing the next part is "Up from a hidden pit long after I am dead".


Midnight: Ok... so it could be a coffin that wasn't buried... but the "You always take us down" and the "Devour your sweet rewards" don't make any sense!

Sapphire: Lets have a walk! Maybe we can think of something else?

Midnight: Or we could ask Ruby's Grandma!

Sapphire: That would be cheating! And we CAN'T cheat!

Midnight: Why not? Nothings stopping us!

Ruby: ... Sapphire's right, Midnight. We can't cheat. I wouldn't feel right knowing I played unfair to Trader Daria!

Midnight: Fine... we'll play by the rules... even if there are none...

Sapphire: Oh, stop complaining Midnight! We'll find out eventually!

They wander around the forest until they see the first rays of the moon.