Hello. Remember me?
I read the first few chapters on the day that you aksed me to. Then my review was delayed. Then several months later, I read up to chapter 7, but still could not review. And now I have finally gone back over all of the chapters, and have finally shown up to review. =P
I just have to say that you have made
noticeable progression from Chapter 1. The most significant, of course, being the overall writing style. I love the way you describe, using vivid words and phrases without bogging down the flow of things (the description of the mountains and the aurora were particularly nice.
I like how the characters are progressing, especially Teddi. Although there are a view instances where his thoughts and conclusions are a bit complex for his age, it's interesting to see such an inquisitive character, and watch him grow.
Viccers and Dandy may be a bit over the top, but hey, that's what keeps them so alive and refreshing. ^^ Their many arguments are absolutely hilarious, and an interesting way to look at both sides of everything that is happening.
As a random side note--I like the names you give the characters. They're very unique and interesting.
It was nice to see Jessika and Everisto return. The battle between Ampharos and Walrein was great, especially with all the ways you described Walrein. xP
I agree with everyone else--Auramancy is awesome!
The most rescent chapter adds more suspence as well as offers more hints as to the underlying plot of the fic, which I like.
Very nice, keep it up!
~Chibi~;249;;448;
It's been so long since I last PMed you about the fic, so it's awesome you've finally completed reading and have posted a review. As always, I appreciate your comments, so thank you.
This is probably the biggest chapter-delay yet, but last night, I completed Chapter 11. Like I promised, it's a Jessika/Everisto chapter, and in it, we'll be learning about the snow-village, and also about the origins of the Crystal Harp. Here goes......
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Chapter Eleven: The Firland Expedition.
Jessika was roused from the icy oblivion of her sleep by the crackling of a fire in a stove. Her heavy eyelids opened, and she found herself lying inside what appeared to be a tent; judging by the loosely-hung cloth walls and ceiling. There were no tables or chairs of any description, and everything seemed to be stored in a range of large racks that looked as if they had been constructed in a hurry.
Then everything that had happened previously suddenly dawned on her. She had been waiting impatiently in the snow for her grandfather, becoming ever more worried about him as the minutes passed and the cold gnawed at her flesh. From that moment on, she could not recall anything whatsoever, so she presumed she must have passed out from the cold.
An elderly woman was crouched in front of the stove on a Stantler-skin rug, quietly sipping from a steaming mug. Noticing that Jessika was awake, she got to her feet and spoke. Her voice had a very prominent northern accent, so heavy that Jessika could barely decipher what she was saying.
“So you are finally awake. It’s lucky Vice-Chieftain Fenrir found you when he did, or else you would have died of cold. This is the village of Uusundûn, the last wandering settlement in all the Snowstack Downs.”
“Grandpa….. where’s grandpa…..” murmured Jessika, tossing and turning with anxiety beneath her mantle.
“Would this grandfather be Everisto Eujun, by any chance?”
“Yes… Is he alright? Please tell me he is!”
“Have no fear, your grandfather is alright. A while ago, he came to our village, and fended off some attacking Rungards at great personal risk. Though he was mildly injured, me and my sister were able to quickly nurse him back to health.”
“Rungards?” queried Jessika. “What are Rungards exactly? Are they a type of Pokemon that’s indigenous to this region.”
“In our tongue, Rungard means renegade,” the woman explained good-naturedly. “Quite recently, a mysterious lady arrived from the south. Several young men were captivated by her beauty and charm, and assisted her in tricking us into losing our most valuable treasures. Our Chieftain banished them as a punishment, but they returned, seeking revenge, and have killed many tribesmen.”
“These treasures this woman stole….. what where they?”
“One was a prototype flying machine called an Aeroboggan. We are a simple tribe, and it was the crowning glory of our poor engineering achievements. The other is an ancient instrument, known only as the Crystal Harp.”
But before Jessika could express her sudden feelings of surprise and intrigue, the tent’s whole structure began to tremble ominously…….
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The veil of silence that hung throughout the colossal peaks of Mount Trident was torn by a deep shuddering groan, than ran up the spine of the mountain like an electric volt through a lightning rod. Shards of ice began to peel away from the glacial cliff, dislodged by the earthquake.
Then, abruptly and without warning, the central peak split. A whole, massive quarter of it crumbled away in a torrent of icy daggers, each as big as a penthouse. One lanced down with horrific force on the left peak, causing it to spontaneously collapse in a thunderous tsunami of ice and rock.
The titanic avalanche engulfed the glaciers below, crushing them as if it was a godly hammer cast from heaven. The shockwave rippled through the tundra, decapitating the snowy hills with its unearthly might and blasting powder-snow hundreds of kilometres into the upper-atmosphere…..
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The woman emerged into Uusundûn, leading the weary and vaguely delirious Jessika by the hand. Dozens of other people were likewise standing outside their homes, gazing up in fear as the earthquake gradually demolished Mount Trident, and shook the snow beneath their feet. Then the tremor gradually faded, and the snow stirred up by the earthquake descended in great clouds across the ruined downs.
Everisto came hobbling frantically towards Jessika, occasionally pushing aside others in his haste, and when he reached her, he embraced her in relief. “Jessika, thank goodness you’re alright!” he exclaimed.
“Grandpa, you’re okay!” Jessika cried. “This woman here told me that Lucy Panpippa was leading the barbarians who where attacking the village, and that the crystal harp she owned originally belonged to these people!”
“Vice-Chieftain Fenrir informed me of that,” Everisto said, his voice now grave and far more serious than it had been a few seconds ago. “He also told me that the Crystal Harp is believed to have been fashioned from a Suicune’s crown by a long-dead civilization. Suicune is a legendary being said to be the guardian of the aurora, and which has access to tremendous power due to its crystal horn. So whoever wields that horn as an instrument must be able to use that power as well.”
“Are you saying…. that Lucy might be behind the sudden earthquake that just occurred?” asked Jessika, queasy at the thought of that loathsome woman having access to so much power.
“Fenrir suggested so,” Everisto replied gravely. “At any rate, we’re going to have to brave whatever this mysterious power is if we are to rescue your Teddiursa.”
At this moment, a tall man lumbered from inside one of the tents, a vast fur-cloak trailing behind him. He was dragging what appeared to be an elegantly-fashioned pinewood toboggan, with a vast propeller on its rear-end, a mast akin to that of a miniature yacht, and banks of levers and dials that were connected to the mast with complicated rigging.
Breathing heavily, he dropped the towing rope, and introduced himself to Jessika, panting between words. “Hello there, Jessika. I am Fenrir Firland, second in command to the Uusundûn Chieftain Yggdrasill. Ever since my subordinates learned that Panpippa had taken our precious crystal harp beyond the great mountain, I have been organising an expedition to reclaim it. Your grandfather tells me that you are also in pursuit of Panpippa. If you desire, then you and your grandfather are free to join this expedition in repayment for saving Yggdrasill.”
“I’ll undertake anything for Teddiursa’s sake,” Jessika replied unfalteringly, though her courage was crawling deeper and deeper into her brave shell as she recalled the godly power of the earthquake. “Anything. No matter what the outcome.”
“Your foolhardiness impresses me,” said Fenrir. “According to legend, our ancestors migrated from that unknown land into these downs just before the Ice Age thrust up those enormous glaciers and cordoned it off forever. Many people have tried to breach them, and every single one of them has died in the attempt.”
“Like I said, I’m willing to do anything,” said Jessika. Her eyes suddenly fell in the peculiar contraption at Fenrir’s feet, and she gave an exclamation. “Isn’t that thing an…. Aeroboggan? But I thought the only one in existence was stolen by Lucy!”
“Fortunately, my engineers were able to replicate it by using the old blueprints,” Fenrir replied. “The new ones aren’t as streamlined, comfortable, or user-friendly as the original, though, because we had to construct them on schedule with the expedition. If we’re going to stand any chance of reaching the land beyond the aurora and defeating Panpippa, then we're going to have to pilot these over the glaciers.”
Upon hearing this, Everisto hobbled angrily towards Fenrir, and struck him hard across the chest with his walking stick. He staggered backwards, tripped over the Aeroboggan, and fell flat in the snow. The old woman and Jessika gasped in horror at this uncharacteristically violent outburst.
“You can’t be serious!” fumed Everisto. “Jessika’s still recovering from being frozen, and yet you expect her to fly that hodgepodge mess of a vehicle! She’s never even ridden a flying-machine; there’s no chance in hell she’d be able to control one as badly-built as that, even if she was in good condition.”
Upon hearing the commotion outside, two guards emerged from Fenrir’s tent. They were heavily-built, and dressed in a similar fashion to the other hide-clad villagers, except that they wore breastplates and helmets of thick ivory, and wielded chunky maces of pinewood.
“How dare you assault our Vice-Chieftain!” roared the first.
“We knew he was a Rungard spy, and that it was wrong to trust him,” growled the second. “I bet he organised the last siege, and pretended to save Yggdrasill so that he could intercept the village and destroy it from within! Stan, let’s get him!”
What happened next happened so fast that Jessika had to replay it several times in her mind before she actually had an understanding of what had gone on. The two guards charged rashly towards her grandfather, preparing to dash him apart with their maces. Everisto hurriedly stabbed the first in the gut with his stick. He promptly crumpled onto the snow, wheezing in agony. His partner lashed out with a rage-fuelled swipe of his mace, but before it decapitated Everisto, Fenrir vaulted upright, caught the weapon in midair, and wrenched it away.
“But Lord Fenrir, what do you hope to achieve by protecting a vile traitor?” stammered the guard, only to be knocked flying with a kick from Fenrir.
“Treachery?” he bellowed. “You’re calling Everisto’s perfectly understandable concern for his granddaughter treachery! You insipid, slanderous, paranoid excuse for a man! Get out of my sight!”
As the two guards crawled shamefully away, Fenrir turned to face the exhausted Everisto. “Please forgive my outburst,” apologised Everisto. “It’s just that my granddaughter has been in severe danger recently, and I have, admittedly, become a bit too protective of her.”
“Don’t worry, she won’t have to pilot the Aeroboggans,” replied Fenrir. “If she rides in the back of my own vehicle, she’ll be perfectly safe. Trust me…. should anything unfortunate happen to her, I’ll defend her with my life.”
“Are you a good fighter?” inquired Everisto.
Rather than explaining, Fenrir demonstrated by swiftly whipping out a magnificent rapier that was fashioned not from metal, but from Nevermelt Ice. With the speed of light, he vaulted over Everisto’s back, knocked him down from behind with a hurricane of roundhouse kicks, twirled the rapier artfully and thrust to within a millimetre of the old man’s throat.
“Very impressive….” Everisto croaked, staggering back up onto his feet. “Even so, I wish to accompany her. As her legal guardian, I feel it is my duty. Would that be possible?”
“Indeed,” answered Fenrir, and then, gesturing in the direction of the tent, he beckoned, “Frederick, please bring Everisto the second Aeroboggan replica!”
An ominous boy strode from within the tent, dragging another of those hodgepodge flying contraptions in his wake. He laid the vehcile parallel to its companion, and stood like a sentry at its flank. The boy himself looked both remarkable and vaguely creepy, yet for some strange reason, Jessika could not understand why. She figured it could be down to the fact that not one inch of his body was exposed. His face was heavily wrapped from forehead to neck with a messy scarf, his hands were sheathed in massively oversized leather-gauntlets, and the boots peeping out from underneath his coat were the largest in proportion to body-size that Jessika had ever seen.
“Master…” he said in a voice so shallow and eerily low-pitched it chilled Jessika to the bone. “Are we setting out on the expedition now?”
“Yes,” Fenrir replied. “Everisto and his granddaughter both wish to come along with us. Seeing as neither knows how to fly an Aeroboggan, and since we have only two of them, Everisto is going to have to go in the back of yours. Is that alright with you?”
“Yes master…” croaked Frederick. He sat in the pilot’s chair of his Aeroboggan, and securely lashed a length of rope around himself to act as a seatbelt.
“This is my nephew, Frederick Firland,” Fenrir explained, with an edge of fatherly pride in his voice. “When he was merely three years old, both his parents were butchered by a Yukinooh, and he himself was severely ravaged. I took him under my wing, but he is so scorned for his ugliness that he covers his mutilated face with a scarf whenever anyone is around.”
“How tragic,” Jessika remarked, saddened by this boy’s past, but too unnerved by him to feel completely regretful. “It must have been horrible for him.”
Fenrir quickly changed the subject, worried it would cause his nephew distress. “Jessika, Everisto, we should leave the village instantly. The expedition is delayed as it is, and if we wait any longer, Panpippa could continue to wreak havoc.”
“But Jessika has only just awoken from her coma!” Everisto protested. “Don’t you think she deserves a few more hours to…” But before he could say what he was going to say, Frederick dragged him into the Aeroboggan’s rear-seat and bound him with a makeshift seatbelt.
Jessika was likewise forced into her uncomfortable chair by Fenrir, and hastily strapped in. It felt icy and rigid beneath her posterior, the back dug deep into her spine, and the seatbelt constricted her with its fierce, tight-pulled knots. Only the hope of rescuing Teddiursa willed her to undergo this ghastly discomfort, and she knew this hope would also be essential for her to stomach the ride through unknown skies that lay ahead.
She braced herself, as Fenrir unfurled the sail, fired up the propeller, and pulled hard on the break-lever. At once, the vehicle rocketed off, skimming the surface of the icy dune before rising heavily, up and up, till it was absorbed by the heavens. It was going so fast and unsteadily that she found herself buffeted and hurled around in her seat by the immense force.
The oxygen was rapidly thinning as the Aeroboggan went higher and higher. Gagging, her stomach-muscles curdled and heaved like a bottle of champagne that had been violently shaken. She would have vomited, but she had not eaten anything substantial recently, so there was nothing to vomit out, and the violent, perilously chilly wind was so brutal it felt as though it were pushing her entire face in on itself. It was as though her lungs were collapsing within her.
Frederick and Everisto on their Aeroboggan as it flew alongside them, the dazzling celestial glaze of the aurora that lit the star-struck sky, and the ever-approaching ruined hulk of the glacial mountain, were all distorted by nausea, by the extreme speed, and by the constant jerks and violent twists of the shoddy machine that carried her on this nightmarish expedition. And when Mount Trident, reduced to a two-pronged fork by the earthquake, was almost upon them, a tempest of crimson feathers suddenly engulfed them, and a sadistic hail of objects pelted Jessika’s battered body from every angle……
Deli-Theikkawai was the matriarch of the Delibirds that ruled the façade of Mount Trident. She was the most ancient, most vile-tempered, and most bigoted of them all, and the destruction of her domain, the loss of her nest when the peak collapsed, and now the intrusion of four humans on repulsive contraptions had driven her to a level of rage approaching mania.
She watched as the pilot of the leading contraption shredded a vast swath of angry Delibirds with his crystalline rapier. As he rocketed onwards and upwards, he left the plummeting carcasses of two dozen of Theikkawai’s kin in his wake. Weaving swiftly through the scraggly remnants of the angered flocks, he impaled every Delibird that came at him head-on, and elegantly whittled all those at the sides down to nothingness. By the time the duo of vehicles had cleared the middle peak, only four Delibirds remained, and these swooped in terror back home to their nests, defeated.
In a fraught, bloodcurdling moment of wrath, Theikkawai dive-bombed after the human that had devastated the last of her flock with every last reserve of her strength. Before she was torn to smithereens by the propeller and her minced body dispersed into the cold, colourful abyss, she flung her entire sack into the thrown-together instrument panel of the Aeroboggan….
Further behind and farther below, in the remote village of Uusundûn, the old lady gazed up at the spot were the Aeroboggans had been before they vanished unto the horizon. May the aurora guide you safely on your journey, she wished silently. Who was that strange boy, though. I know everyone in the village, and I also know that Lord Fenrir doesn’t have any living relatives. And as for his parents being killed by Yukinooh… well, there are no Yukinooh living in this region, and never has been. Just who was that boy?
