The Burning Rose (Chapter Eleven)

The interrogation by Inspector Plodok of Karos the Katnik goblin revealed details already suspected by the inspector with one major revelation being the original Trapper ship that had originally captured him had a twin out there somewhere tracking him down with very bad intentions.

Plodok with the help of Malcome placed a sleep induced tied up Karos back into the sealed mouth of the Ribit once again.

Malcome prepared his horses Stridor and Clapper for a quick getaway if any trembling in the forest so much as shook the leaf off the branch of a tree.

Plodok then resumed his scanning from his Ribit to see if there was still as much activity along the riverbanks as there was before.

Plodok called to Malcome from the opened cockpit of his Ribit," I have good news my friend! It would seem the celebration of the Rain folk has calmed down!"

"Then we ride to Igniton!", Malcome declared

"Maybe a fast stroll instead my friend.", Plodok suggested

"I am also increasing my Ribits sensory input in all four feet to detect underground vibrations as an advanced warning of those Trap Worms which I suspect will be released on us.", Plodok explained

"Then I should take the lead since your Ribit can catch up to my location with one or two jumps.", Malcome said as he mounted Stridor with another lead guiding Clapper as well.

As if preoccupied by other thoughts Plodok replied, "Of course...I might be able to play a trick on those Rain-People...they may be susceptible to a mass hypnotic effect which would make them unaware of us."

"Should I just go ahead then?", Malcome thought it best to take off because of the current danger he as well as his horses were in.

"Yes...yes I just have some calibrations to work out...I will catch up...", Plodok told Malcome who did not hesitate to start trotting off on Stridor with Clapper in tow.

Plodok played with the light modifications on his control panel to find the optimum spectral pulse when it came time to use it. The hypnotic mass effect was used for crowd control which made it ideal in this situation, yet Plodoks only real concern was that the Rain Men were already entranced, would they be immune? It was the addition of the Andreenid sound effect he recorded into the Ribit as an additional modifier to calm the Rain Men down first which gave Plodok a more favorable outlook.

"Gulp.", Plodok made the loud sound when the Ribits front right phalanges on its front right foot detected a very brief but strong sub-ternal vibration. Then it happened again.

Plodok sealed his cockpit as he activated the Ribit for automation before lightly crawling along the ground in order not to become detected. So far, the vibration did not reappear on Plodoks sonic scanner...until it did again. Now Plodok was worried.

The Ribit continued using its legs and padded feet as softly as a heavy machine could to walk lightly along the path leading towards the river.

Plodok moved his Ribit deliberately slow through a denser forest which could buffer his movements somewhat with the tree's root system.

Then to increase Plodoks concerns a much large object was being picked up on his radar. However, this object was moving steadily to his location from the air.

Plodok brought his Ribit to a standstill on the path deciding it best to become as invisible as possible.

Then a loud crash was heard far behind which actually shook the forest!

Malcom's horses became started from the crash! Though Stridor kept his cool which helped Clapper to remain calm as they strode onward towards the river.

Malcome was concerned because he knew what that sound was, it was the other half of the Trapper ship.

"By Anuras tail!", Plodok frantically said as his bulged-out eyes saw multiple sub-terranean vibrations steadily headed towards his location. Then the larger visual which must be the Trapper ship became visible again as it followed behind the faster moving Trap-Worms underneath it all in his direction!

Plodok then switched his scanners to spot Malcom not very far from the river which was not good either for without his help using the Ribit to hypnotize the Rain-folk might be in danger from them.

A fuse at two end which could ignite very soon, Plodok thought as his own fuse was about to explode.

As a former Padwa, anger was supposed to be overcome as it was a base emotional state which was fleeting, yet for Plodok wanted to embrace it in this brief moment.

Plodok leapt out of his cockpit in order to go to the front of the Ribit. Then Plodok opened the Ribits mouth to confront a drowsy Karos!

"Tell me! Who do you work for!", Plodok demanded in anger as he grabbed Karos by his purple tunic!

Karos shouted back in fear of his own life, "I...do not work for anyone!"

"If you don't tell me we will both, be eliminated!", Plodok shouted

"It's complicated....", Karos tried to reason with Plodok before he was being shaken by his shoulders!

"Okay...okay let me try to explain!", Karos began as Plodok stopped shaking him," I generally work with my brother Kronis...though we as a family business need funding so we help supply the Goblins in the dark hemisphere."

That's the dark hemisphere, why have you come to the Mystic Mountains?", Plodok pressed Karos for as much information as could in the most pressing of time possible

"The Goblin army has come under new leadership there expanding.", Karos said cryptically

Plodok reasoned that was why he saw the Rock Trolls inside the Trapper being trained to monitor the Trap-Worms movements. It must be a massive operation which brought a dreadful thought to Plodoks mind, what if Armatura was seeking to overthrow Tyr's rule in her alliance with this Lord Komoto, was it all connected?

Plodok shoved Karos before telling him, "I am bringing you to Igniton where you be held captive until you are brought to Justice in an Eternian court!"

"Whats going on out there, tell me?", Karos pleaded as the Ribits mouth trapped inside it again.

As Plodok concealed himself inside the cockpit if his Ribit again he was relieved to rid of his anger. For now, Plodok would use reason to help guide him through the dilemma now facing him.

There were pulsating dots all underneath as well around the forest, the worms were circling their prey.

It was now or never, Plodok reasoned as he activated his Ribit once again!

The race to the other side of the river was on!

Plodok felt the Ribit begin to vibrate then when he looked at the screen of his sonic scanner, he saw the dot aligned with his exact location.

Plodok initiated the Ribits automated movements as it leapt up at the exact moment the worm broke through the earth!

Plodok kept his Ribit hopping towards Malcoms location as the enormous Trap Worm which shot straight out to snatch his receded back into the earth again!

On the bright-side Plodok thought he was now a moving target with an advanced warning system unlike before. As well so long as Plodok used his Ribit to hop along the trail it was hard for the worms to detect his movement as well where to strike at him.

Malcome had long since stopped his horses to peer from some bushes near the river. Whie from his vantage point he was not seeing anyone he could hear the chants from the Rain-Men which made him very cautious to proceed.

Malcome noticed his horses getting nervous they were on to something. It was probably the something related to that crash he had heard earlier.

Then another sound alerted Malcome, it was the sound of Plodok speaking through his Ribit as it leapt over his head,"Hurry! You must ride your horses across the river!"

Plodok then landed hie Ribit in the river itself leaving a huge splash of water behind!

This got the attention of all the Rain Men in the area, who slowed there chanting as they looked at what had leapt into the river.

"A sign from the Gods!", shouted a man wearing a golden seahorse head atop his own head from atop a white stone arch bridge with rounded snales engraved in its architecture.

The Rain-Men chanted as the seahorse headed man pointed a golden trident at the spot of the river where the Ribit dove into

The Rain-Men from atop the bridge chanted as they threw purple roses into the flowing river as onlookers beside the river did the same.

Then the frog face of the Ribit came up to the surface to greet the sea faring people with its bright yellow eyes!

Plodok had started the optic portion of his mass hypnosis with the optic glare from his Ribits eyes. The problem with the sonic portion of the effect was that while keeping the head of his Ribit bobbing on the surface of the river while at the same time fighting the rivers current was difficult. Plodok was concerned that if he opened up the mouth of his Ribit even slightly that it would let in water which could drown his cargo inside. Despite turning on the Ribits drainage system on inside its mouth the rate of water could enter into it too fast.

Plodok initiated the recorded Andreenid sound anyway as the Ribit opened to form a wide slit for the tune to be transmitted out from.

Plodok smiled himself as he noted chants of the Rain -folk dying down in addition their rhythmic motions were slowing as well. It was working.

Then in a burst of speed Malcome rode his horses just at the right moment along the bridge all the way to the other side! Malcome had made it across the bridge!

Immediately, Plodok shut down his visual as well as audio effects when something hit his Ribit!

Plodok confirmed that he was torpedoed by one of those Trap Worms which was now in the water!

After racing to the other side of the bridge looked back to see some of the Rain-People falling into the river! As much as he wanted to Malcome stopped himself from helping when he saw a huge shadow covering the bridge in the river.

Suddenly the huge shadow faded away to become a massive gray ship crashing down onto the bridge along with the remaining chanters!

"NO!", Malcome shouted as the Rain-Men along the bank as well the bridge were crushed by the murderous machine!

The underside of the Trapper revealed a large silver drill that oscillated in the water stirring under the river blood, mortar, stone and flesh!

The spinning drill was cast all the way down to the floor bed where it began to puncture it!

Plodok noticed a drag on his Ribit as he maneuvered the Trap Worms inside the rushing river as they burst into the it!

The worms were themselves being sucked down as well crushed by their own drill in the circulating current!

Plodok had to reach the side of the riverbed in order to anchor the Ribit to it. Plodok's Ribit had no chance to fight against the current of the drill which was widening!

Instinctively, Plodok released the Ribits tongue to latch onto the riverbed wall in order to real him in!

Plodoks gambit was successful though not certain as of yet for the force of the vortex was making it hard to be reeled in. Yet, it was working the tongue of the Ribit was reeling it closer to the wall. Until the Ribit was close enough to grab onto the wall the tongue was reeled back in.

Inside the Ribits mouth the excess water was being drained out so Karos who had been submerged could live!

Plodok felt the pull on the Ribit lesson as he scaled the machine up to the surface of the river ever slowly.

"Ride Stridor ride!", Malcome yelled as he took out his laser pistol attempt shooting from his rear a handful of flying goblins coming at him!

Though as fast as Stridor was on land the Goblins in their winged harnesses were gaining in them!

Malcome knew that he had virtually no defense from his attackers when a blaze of fire from the air struck down all of the goblin's harnesses and all!

Malcome then saw four red dragons fly past him towards the Trapper as more Goblins emerged from the opened front of the ship.

Unseen by the goblin attackers was a small black dragon sitting on the Trapper itself above the opening.

The Goblins attempted to use their sonic attacks ahead of themselves yet found that they couldn't until they too were decimated by a series of fireballs shot at them from the assaulting dragon riders!

"Armatura's gift to you came in handy, it led us right to this disturbance!", said the black cameoed Lizard rider beside the one called Black Ash who answered back," Indeed, though what wreckage this flying fortress has caused! I hope it has not harmed those we seek!"

"Riders let us commandeer this frying wrecking machine!", Black Ash declares as they all cheer the idea

Inside the Trapper a non-goblin dressed in a silver suit which only showed a tan human face with round suctioned holes along his arms legs was in the control bridge of the ship speaking on screen to Garak the gray goblin with a worker's helmet.

"I am going to have to bring the drop drill back up. We have sustained many casualties.", the silver suited man told Garak

"How many is many?", Garak asked out of necessity

"Are all the Kondor sweeps enough?", the man cooly replied

Then the control bridge shuttered with everyone inside knocking everyone around!

In panic of his own life Garak insisted, "Bring me up! Bring me up before it is to late!"

"It may already be too late for you.", the man in silver commented coldly

"Crito bring me up! Do you hear me Crito? Bring me up!", Garak shouts through the screen before Crito gives the command of his fellow goblins at the controls to shut it off midway through Garaks screaming.

"Display what is happening outside.", Crito casually orders as the screen is brought up to show four red dragons clawing the ship on all four corners of it.

Also shown on the screen are four warriors standing atop the Trapper.

Then an audio transmission is received by a controller in the bridge, the goblin controller asks, "Should I accept the call?"

"Of course you should.", Crito tells the goblin controller

A rough gravelly voice then comes in on the audio," This is Black Ash of the Black Rider Brigade! I have hacked into your audio though I will commandeer your ship soon enough! What do have to say to that?"

"What are your demands?", Crito calmly asks

"You're caving so soon?", a surprised Black Ash asks through the Black Dragon perched on his arm he's using to communicate with the bridge of the ship

"I repeat what are your demands?", Crito sighs

After turning off the transmission for a moment, Black Ash tells his mates, "Well this just isn't fun anymore.", then the transmission is resumed again leading to Black Ash telling Crito his demands," First I want to know if you're holding an Anurian Frog along with someone else prisoner on this ship?"

Crito flatly replies, "No."

A befuddled look comes across Black Ashes face when Crito asks him a question, "What is the importance of the individuals you are seeking?"

Though before Crito question can be answered, Slak tells him, "I see a giant robot coming out of the river."

"What of it?", Black Ash dismisses Slak's observation until he sees it for himself, "That's no ordinary giant frog!"

"What did you say?", it was Crito replying back to Black Ashes statement

"I think that our business is just about done here mate!", Black Ash then tells Crito

"You never answered my original question.", Crito responds as if annoyed

"Black Ash along with his Black Dragon Brigade have come to escort the frog along with his really important colleague to Igniton.", Black Ash answers back in first person

"For what reason?", Crito asks

"How should I know that? It's just really important!", Black Ash answers back

"You are not here in response to the damage we have caused or in the defense of Ignitons border?", Crito asks as Garak enters the bridge with a shock stick in anger

"Why are you bargaining with the enemy?", Garak threateningly asks Crito as he points his shock stick at him other goblins take out their shock sticks as well surround Crito with them as well.

"I don't get into finances or border disputes, I just capitalize on them.", Black Ash responds as he is soon joined by the giant robotic Ribit atop the Trapper.

"Please excuse me for a moment.", Crito say before ending the transmission

"What's inside that thing?", Garok asks holding his mace as if to bat it

"I am Inspector Plodok of Pacwad! What is your purpose in the Mystic Mountains?", the voice of Plodok asks through the Ribit

"It speaks!", Karver shockingly says in astonishment

"You're a little out of your jurisdiction aye Anurian?", Black Ash tells Plodok who is still inside of his Ribit

While in the bridge of the Trapper a standoff is occurring between Crito and the Goblins led by Garak!

"Your weapons are useless against me. I advise you to stand down.", Crito warns Garak personally

On the other side of the bridge where lies Igniton Malcome feeling useless at the moment is tending to both his horses when a fiery spark starts to flutter around him.

Malcome feels a familiar warmth from the spark as it flutters about him. Then the sparks attention is drawn to Malcom's right hand the one that was injured. Malcome pens up the palm of his right hand to accept the spark.

The spark once inside the palm of Malcom's hand bursts into a flame! The fiery flame startles Malcome but does not burn instead there is a calming warmth to it. An image is then shown to Malcome from inside of the flame. The image shows the dragon riders leading Blovas balloon to a desolate volcanic landscape with ruins then there is an image of Blovas, Styx as well as Zoomer being led to a blown in cave. There are images of Igniton warriors threating Styx with words as well as swords! The image then stops after the three enter into the cave. Malcom's hand becomes burned as the flame extinguishes itself!

A burnt scar is left as a reminder on Malcom's hand the urgency of the situation Lady Styx is in.

"I will find all of you. No matter what!", Malcome urgently swears as he holds his again injured right hand.

On the bridge off the Trapper the Goblin warriors led by Garak attack Crito with their shock sticks!

"What? Nothing happened!", Garak said in disbelief at seeing Crito casually standing with all those volts of electricity having done nothing to him

Then in blurring speed, Crito grabs Garaks shock stick away from him before back handing him with it!

Garak careens to the floor where he then lies there unmoving!

All of the goblins lower their weapons as Crito speaks," You may tell Garak to be thankful that I did not return all of your charges against me back onto him."

The goblins all agreed with Crito as they nodded their heads.

Black Ash then stopped his conversation with Plodok to receive Critos communication again," I would like to give myself up to you."

"I am afraid that won't do...", Black Ash told Crito before he continued, "I am not a goblin if you did not gather. How do you think that I managed too not only be among them as well as lead them?", but Crito also asked Black Ash

"I really do not care...", Black Ash started to say before Crito began again," I would make a great asset to your side."

"That is not my call sir...", Black Ash started in when Slak hissed in," Why not bring him along? What harm could it do?"

Black Ash seemed unconvinced until for some reason he told Crito," Alright have it your way though I don't know why you would just leave the set up you have now."

"I think that we had better be off!", Plodok said from inside his Ribit

"Oh, whys that"", Black Ash smarmily asked to which Plodok responded, " The Rain-Men are coming back in droves!"

"Alright! Let's ride!", Black Ash tells his brigade as they climb onto their red dragons!

"Wait for me!", a voice says from inside some strange translucent squid emerging onto the top of the Trapper.

"I am Crito!", said the voe from inside the mechanical squid

Then the riders along with Plodok in his Ribit and Crito inside his Squido made their way to the Igniton side of the bridge where they met up with Malcome and his two horses!

Black Ash announced from his dragon, "Follow us we'll escort you properly to the towers of Igniton!"

"No that's not where I need to go!", Malcome shouted unheard from far back in the line as he rode his two horses," The others are in danger."