《Planetoid: The Legend of Aya Volume 2: City》


 Into The Asteroid

    Upon beginning a new adventure, most young people find themselves bursting with youthful vitality, brimming enthusiasm and endless energy, but not eighteen year old Aya Tintel. Her stomach was riding a spaceship going fast enough to break the gravitational pull of her planetoid; and though she was belted in, her stomach bounced around, making her very ill and dizzy. She was an Aquan, an elven creature native to the doomed planet of Tarabos and they very rarely voyaged from their own world. Aya only rode a spaceship one other time, and it was only to escape Tarabos as it imploded from an unforeseen disaster. Aya, was a very young child at the time and was greatly traumatized at the sudden loss of all her friends and family. To make matters worse, the spaceship crashed into another planetoid, one soon to be her home for the next fifteen years of her life. She was greatly traumatized by the wreckage and vowed never to ride in a spaceship again. But when a similar threat of destruction loomed over this new forest planetoid, she volunteered to be the one to save everyone. That required taking a spaceship known as the Blue Thunder to get help from where ever they could find it. Aya felt determination at first, but now she only felt the effects of the g-force and an increasing sense of hopelessness.


    ¡°Are you ok back there Aya?¡± a friendly voice from the front cockpit called. ¡°The monitor says that we¡¯ll be there in two hours if everything goes according to plan.¡±


    Seated in front of Aya was a young woman only a year older than she was. She was Aya¡¯s best friend, Flora Du Bois, a belle of the planetoid turned space captain. She wore a cream colored elastic spacesuit and a slide-up helmet in place of her yellow-green sundress and flowery sun-hat.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­.urk¡­ok,¡± Aya said, her pupils moving towards the top of her head. ¡°I think I just need to lean back.¡±


    She reclined the seat, invading the space of the spaceship¡¯s third member. Seated in the third and final seat of the ship was a tan skinned man with a long wave of dark hair and a smooth chiseled face that was adored by many but not by the prickly roses that accompanied him on his latest venture. ¡°Clearly you¡¯re not cut out for this, Miss Aquan. Such a shame because you showed so much spunk when you were on land.¡±


    ¡°Taylor, if I could see straight I¡¯d whack you so bad. Instead I¡¯ll probably just throw up on you,¡± Aya grumbled and closed her eyes.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m not up for fighting this whole way here,¡± Taylor said with tied hands nestled behind his back. ¡°It¡¯s going to be a long ride even at full speed.¡±


    Taylor Lunsford was a prisoner of the people of Aya¡¯s planetoid, a man who through foolish acts caused nature to become highly unbalanced. Even if the people of the planetoid didn¡¯t know he was responsible for this crime, they knew he tried to murder Aya and attempted to turn them against her. In truth, Aya and Flora, only really needed this captive because it was his home planetoid they were traveling to for help. They hoped he would cooperate until they could get some aid for their planetoid before it crumbled with their friends and family on it.


    ¡°Neither do I,¡± Flora said. ¡°I¡¯d much rather just enjoy this outer space trip, even with Mr. Good Hair, Bad Personality here.¡±


    ¡°See, there you go,¡± Taylor said in his smooth, and deep virile voice. ¡°Just relax. I personally can¡¯t wait to go home myself. There¡¯s a little lady calling my name.¡±


    Flora turned away from the auto pilot for a second. ¡°Is this the woman you are talking about?¡± She lifted her hand to reveal a photograph of a blond business woman who¡¯d written a note on the back addressed to Taylor.


    ¡°Ah,¡± Taylor said with a smirk, ¡°So that¡¯s where you put that. No my dear sunflower, that is Madame Caruso, the president of the Electra Company¡±¡ªhe gave a sly lift of his eyebrow¡ª"I¡¯m of course talking about her daughter.¡±


    ¡°The¡­Electra¡­.company,¡± Aya muttered laying on her back at a slight incline over Taylor¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the name, Miss Aquan,¡± Taylor said, paying no mind to Aya¡¯s delirium. ¡°That¡¯s the company I work for. They are quite the name where I live, since they managed to harness electricity and use it to further mankind¡¯s achievements¡±


    As if by magic, Aya¡¯s tattoo on her left arm spoke to her. The tattoo was formerly an elder of the wolfhound tribe known as Eterna before she transferred her energy to Aya and became a spirit guide for her. Only Aya could commune with Eterna. To everyone else she appeared a stationary tattoo. ¡°Aya, listen up, I know you¡¯re woozy but people who harness lightning are dangerous and selfish. Members of the rivaling thunderboar tribe spoke of a future disaster brought upon everyone by thunder-wielding humans.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll come to that,¡± Aya said softly, breathing in and out. ¡°We¡¯re just asking for help. They can¡¯t all be as nefarious as Taylor.¡±


    ¡°Did you say they all can¡¯t be as hilarious as Taylor? Well I am known for making even the snobbiest of girls giggle like a child,¡± Taylor said with a grin, before Flora scowled at him. ¡°But yeah, I actually work for the Electra company. It¡¯s how I got my ship and my penthouse. Madame Caruso¡¯s little lightning bolt is pretty sweet on me.¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°I see what kind of person you are Taylor,¡± Aya said, lightly turning with agitation. ¡°Someone who licks the boots of those who can take them further in life.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry not all of us can be born rich like sunflower here,¡± Taylor spat back, ¡°or choose to live in poverty like you because it ¡®spiritually¡¯ satisfies them.¡±


    Flora¡¯s agitation exploded out of her hands. She flailed as she turned around. Her normally lilting voice became sharp and aggressive. ¡°Aya, Taylor I¡¯d wish you two would hush.¡±


    Aya and Taylor both pointed fingers at each other. ¡°You started it,¡± they cried like children.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care who did, but if you two don¡¯t be quiet, I¡¯m taking us back to our planetoid where we¡¯ll just sit there and rot.¡±


    Aya who was greatly sickened from the ride immediately snapped to attention and her voice grew shrill. ¡°Please don¡¯t Flor, I couldn¡¯t bear to endure this trip a second time.¡±


    ¡°Who knew you had such a strong captain¡¯s voice, sunflower,¡± Taylor said, taken a bit aback. ¡°But no, I don¡¯t want to be back on that redneck rock either.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, I¡¯m Captain Sunflower, er¡­ I mean Du Bois, and we¡¯re all going to enjoy each other¡¯s company on this space cruise or I¡¯m going to start acting like my father.¡±


    Both Aya and Taylor were well aware with the intimidatingly stubborn man who reared Flora and not wanting to bring out his brashness in his daughter. They both remained silent for the next hour only bickering with occasional gestures, smirks and eye rolls.


    Flora finally could rest her hands in her arms and enjoy the cruise through a raisin purple sky filled with white, shining, sugar like specks. Ever since she was a child, she always wished to explore the frontier of space. From her first moments as a baby wrapped tightly in her mother¡¯s arms, she found she was reaching at the night sky. As a child, with her best friend, Aya, she found herself pretending a derelict shack was her spaceship, and her reluctant best friend was her crew. Her parents wished for her to be a proper lady who would settle down and yield the children of a farm boy. Their illusions for her clashed with her own goals, but when her planet was in danger, Flora proved herself to be the most fitting candidate for piloting a ship. Reflecting on how far she came, Flora delighted that her dream had finally come true by counting up every star and constellation she could see.


    After much happy counting and relaxing, medium sized silver-grey meteorites floated past the spaceship and Flora immediately took notice. She watched as rocks bigger and bigger floated past the ship and she grew concerned. She looked ahead and saw an enormous cluster of giant rocks building a hard-to-navigate blockade ahead of them.


    ¡°Are those asteroids?¡± Flora asked with an alarmed curiosity.


    ¡°You should know, Captain,¡± Taylor remarked with a relaxed smirk, ¡°But yes they are. There is an asteroid field between my planetoid and yours. You already knew that of course, since you¡¯re a far more experienced pilot than moi.¡±


    ¡°Oh dear,¡± Flora said, with a look of panic on her face. ¡°Can the ship navigate through this?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t count on it Sunflower. This is where human dexterity comes in good use. You might want to plug the tablet into the control panel.¡±


    Flora slowly slid the small black remote-control tablet into the control panel and it fit perfectly. It lit up bright green and showed a schematic of the ship before zooming through a digital graphic of outer space. ¡°Manual control system: Activated.¡± The ship¡¯s feminine voice said echoing over the intercom as the ship halted.


    ¡°So what do I do with this?¡± Flora asked.


    ¡°Just manipulate the tablet with your fingers. It¡¯s kinda like a video game but with actual consequences if you screw up,¡± Taylor said.


    ¡°A vidja game?¡± Flora said with wide eyes, ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    Taylor gave a dark laugh. ¡°Oh this will be fun.¡±


    ¡°Please spare me,¡± Aya cried and hid her face.


    Flora disregarded both of the them and tapped her finger at the control panel. The ship pointed upwards. She tapped it below the ship¡¯s trajectory and the ship lowered. ¡°I think I get this.¡±


    She pressed the accelerate button and the ship zoomed forward towards the asteroids at an alarming rate. Aya let out a scream but Flora ignored her friend. Flora realized her best friend was going to be nothing but a burden in this situation but Flora didn¡¯t mind. It was a nice feeling to see her idol in a state of panic. The role reversal brought a small smile to Flora¡¯s powdered cheeks.


    Suddenly, an asteroid the size of the ship hurdled towards the them. Flora let out a quick gasp and swiped at the tablet. The ship spiraled in the air and completely dodged the falling rock with an awkwardly fluid jerk.


    ¡°Whoa, wasn¡¯t expecting that,¡± Taylor said, ¡°Sunflower¡¯s got more wits than I thought.¡±


    Another midsized asteroid crossed the path of the ship, and this time there was no chance to get out of the way. ¡°Quick how do you fire?¡± Flora asked, tilting to faceTaylor.


    ¡°Tap the asteroid.¡±


    Flora jerked the ship to a stop and shot a bomb from outside the ship. It collided with the asteroid, and a red and orange fire enveloped, and consumed it. ¡°Yesss!¡± Flora exclaimed fist pumping the air. ¡°Did you see that Aya?¡±


    ¡°Through my hands? No,¡± the terrified Aquan responded, peeking between her fingers.


    Flora sped towards the heart of the asteroid field. This time she weaved, dodged and bombed all at once. Her computer allowed her to know the full range surrounding her ship, and with it, she could play a game of keep away with those destructive asteroids. Every time the space rocks came within range of the ship, she pivoted and pirouette the ship with a dancer¡¯s grace.


    As she went further, the asteroids got larger and more jagged. When a destructive mass the size of the planetoid she once lived on came too close to her ship, she realized she couldn¡¯t bomb it or fly away. ¡°Guys, get ready. I¡¯m going inside that asteroid.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re what?¡± Aya exclaimed. ¡°Aww, and I had just opened my eyes too.¡±


    ¡°Do what you please, Sunflower. It¡¯s clear you got this one.¡± Taylor said, leaning back in his chair.


    Flora¡¯s eyes widened. She never expected him to be more supportive than Aya.


    ¡°All righty,¡± Flora said, and took a dive into the dark cavernous hole in the asteroid.

 Touchdown On A New Planetoid

    Within the asteroid, Flora realized there was an illuminated light button on her padscreen. With a press, the ship¡¯s lights gleamed brightly, illuminating the hole. Flora flew close and slow so she could twist and turn inside the asteroid¡¯s maze-like pathway. Everything went smoothly until the cavern opened up and the light of the ship focused on the center of the asteroid. Bits of melted metal hung around towards the bottom, floating in green lava. ¡°Ugh, sweet creator! What is that smell?¡± Aya exclaimed, pinching her nose.


    Flora turned the ship to focus towards a large throbbing grey glob that hung from the ceiling. The blob had 16 chambers, each which pulsated and secreted a sticky white pus.


    ¡°Ladies, I¡¯ll have you know that being a strapping space traveling aristocrat makes me privy to certain knowledge,¡± Taylor said nervously. ¡°And this ¡®asteroid¡¯ we flew into, is actually an Asterzoid, a giant creature that eats metal. And particularly loves spaceships.¡±


    Aya looked down at the melted metal and her face turned as green as the lava that ingested them. She buried her face in her hands again. ¡°I guess this is how we die.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense sweetheart,¡± Flora said. ¡°We¡¯ll just fly out of here.


    As soon as Flora spoke, the holes around the center chamber closed like passages of blood being clotted. The center organ began to fire some of the sticky white substance directly at the ship. Flora squeaked and quickly swiveled the ship away. ¡°It has us where it wants us and I don¡¯t think it wants us to go. Not unlike many of the women I¡¯ve encountered,¡± Taylor said, making his eyebrows do a wave.


    Flora piloted the ship around and around the center stomach as it slung its white sticky globs like a spider shooting a web at its prey. The lava below began to rise along the dark sloped walls of the stomach. Flora pivoted around the slung webs until she realized there was another weapon on her ship. On the control panel there was a thunderbolt shaped icon. Quickly, she stretched and pressed it.


    A blast of electricity came out of the ship¡¯s cannons ripping and crackling through the air with a startling intensity.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± Flora said, ¡°How about I try this?¡±


    She dodged another blast of sticky whiteness, and fired a blast of blue electricity right into the creature¡¯s core.


    It began to roar, groan and shake. The pit below began to bubble over. The monster writhed from the outside, before shaking and letting out a large gurgling sound. Slowly the blocked tunnels unclotted and Flora saw this as an opportunity to fly through one. The green lava from the backed-up stomach began to flow through the same passage and Flora could no longer take her time. She flew with the speediest precision she had ever used, flying dangerously to close to the boiling floor before steering toward the exit way to the starry sky.


    Slowly, the monster¡¯s teeth began to close around the exit. They were sharp and rocky, ready to impale their prey. Flora hit the acceleration at full throttle and moved faster and faster until the teeth were nearly sandwiched between the Blue Thunder. Flora could hear the sound of scraping, but they were clearly on their way out. The Blue Thunder emerged just as the green bile exploded from the Asterzoid¡¯s mouth. They sped faster and faster away from the asteroid field until the field itself was nothing but small dots in the background of their adventure.


    Taylor stuck his tongue at the long gone beast. ¡°Remember this pain and indigestion next time you think of eating someone again, you stupid rock.


    With a smile he leaned over a cowering Aya¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Hey good piloting, Sunflower. It¡¯ll be a while before you reach my expertise but this was a nice first outing.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, thank you,¡± Flora said with a big grin, ¡°What do you think, Aya?¡±


    Aya¡¯s face had now turned blue after she saw the beast spewing and eating its own vomit. She quickly sat up, before vomiting in between her legs.


    ¡°Not my ship.¡± Taylor cried.


    ¡°Wow look at that,¡± Flora said, calling attention away from Aya¡¯s puking session.


    Before them stood a planetoid blanketed in tall metallic towers protruding from the steel ground. The whole planet was coated in the same grey metal casting all over it. On the tops of the long metal buildings were fresh coats of thick snow that fell from dark clouds shrouding parts of the planetoid. One of the tallest, most castle=like buildings read in bold glamorous, yellow and green writing, ¡®The Electra Company.¡¯¡±


    ¡°I never thought I¡¯d say this, considering that I fled this place for reasons I won¡¯t share,¡± Taylor said to everyone. ¡°But it feels so good to be home.¡±


    The ship soared into the snowy atmosphere, navigating past tall skyscrapers and other ships similar to the Blue Thunder. They were pale and tall with yellow domes on the top, making the snow slide off the roofs and into the chilly wind. They shimmered all the more brilliantly against the natural background of grey clouds. Even Aya who was still reeling managed to pull herself out of her sickness and fear to admire them.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Flora had long since ceded the controls to the autopilot who took them home, and it led them to a large landing pad that jutted out of a see-through glass penthouse with a sloping roof and dark shaded windows. Taylor¡¯s face with his trademark smirk and a light showing of sparkling white teeth marked the landing pad. As the ship landed Flora asked with great curiosity,


    ¡°I do ask, Mr. Jerkface, why do you want your ship to land on your face?¡±


    Taylor¡¯s face quickly made the same expression as his smug launchpad. ¡°I¡¯ll just say, when I have a ship full of ladies, I much prefer the term ¡®sit¡¯ instead of ¡®land.¡¯¡±


    He stared at Flora and made his eyebrows do a wiggle that made her look away since it resembled the caterpillars on her home planetoid and she didn¡¯t want the memory of their cuteness tarnished by Taylor¡¯s face.


    Flora frowned. ¡°Oh lord. Who¡¯d want to do that?¡±


    Aya quickly pressed the button opening the sliding glass cockpit and jumped out. She tumbled on the landing pad and began rolling on it. ¡°Oh sweet stable ground, how I miss thee,¡± she cried before kissing it and rolling around on it.


    Taylor chuckled to himself as Flora slapped her face. ¡°You were saying, Miss Sunflower?¡±


    All of a sudden, Aya turned blue and crossed her arms around her stomach before vomiting all over Taylor¡¯s launchpad. Taylor cringed as Flora entered a giggle fit. ¡°Whoa ok. I didn¡¯t know she¡¯d go that far. Aquan girls they sure are crazy.¡±


    Both slid out of the cockpit and Flora ran to Aya¡¯s aid. Aya was wiping the glowing blue vomit from her mouth, its color came from the glowing refined soul fruits she had a strict diet of. She grumbled as Flora crouched by her, rubbing her back. ¡°Are you ok, love?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just happy I¡¯m out of that deathtrap,¡± Aya responded.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok¡­I¡­¡± Flora stuttered before Aya cut in front of her again.


    ¡°All of that crazy flying, it was just too much for me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It was my first time flying,¡± Flora said, looking downward.


    Aya shook her head. ¡°Just, please, never again. That was too wild and unnerving.¡±


    Aya got up and walked away from her friend. Flora tried her hardest to understand it wasn¡¯t her who had upset Aya. Her friend was deathly traumatized of flying, she just kept telling herself, and that Aya didn¡¯t mean it. Aya banged on the sliding glass door, a black windowed barricade between her and the warmth inside. Flora quickly ran along with the still-bound Taylor. ¡°You sure lost a lot of manners along the way, Miss Aquan,¡± Taylor responded as he walked with his head slightly bent forward. ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard of voice activated doors?¡±


    Aya didn¡¯t stoop to arguing with Taylor; she just wanted to be away from the cold so she stepped aside. Taylor bent over to a small black box with a dark lined vocoder on it. ¡°Hello sweetums, Daddy¡¯s home,¡± Taylor said with a deep voice of mocking irony.


    His personal way of talking to objects made both Flora and Aya cringe but they soon forgot when the door slid open with a robotic but feminine adult female voice. ¡°Welcome home, daddy.¡±


    Taylor strutted into his penthouse. The lights in the penthouse brightened the whole room and Aya and Flora could see the exact kind of living space this rogue resided in. There was three separate areas that commanded the attention of the newcomers. In the middle of a floor of slick polished metal, there was a cobalt colored hot tub, bubbling with warm water. Past it was a bar table of slick blue marble with a cabinet of beverages, special wines, liquors and fermented fruit drinks leaning against the window. Soft, orchestrated music sung by a chanteuse played over four cylindrical radio devices that surrounded the hot tub. It seemed to promote languishing in this bachelor pad in the most decadent ways. A large flat screen the size of the hot tub itself hung over the window flashing images as fluids of many colors swirled around in a hypnotic dance.


    On a small pyramid like platform with two sets of stairs leading up to it was a large black bed. Its sheets of dark satin gave off a mysterious aura and like a dark veil, it disguised the many marks embedded in it. Masking things further was a heavy smell of flowers and burning scented candles. Behind it, built into the slick wooden wall, was a large tank of water filled with algae that formed a little forest. It twirled itself around a decorative sunken ship and a treasure chest. Nothing seemed to be in the tank, furthering Aya¡¯s curiosity as to why it was there.


    Aya didn¡¯t think much of the tank after her first cursory thoughts. She didn¡¯t think much of anything, because her head was in a complete mess and her heart felt tight in her chest after her ride through the brain exploding, black nightmare of space. She wanted nothing more than to just curl up in that big black bed and forget about everything until the morning dawned in the snowy city. She trudged up the steps ignoring Flora and Taylor¡¯s words and collapsed on the bed.


    ¡°Well, I guess we¡¯re not doing anything until tomorrow,¡± Flora said, trying her best to understand how her friends was acting.


    ¡°That¡¯s my bed,¡± Taylor murmured, dumbfounded.


    ¡°Oh don¡¯t worry,¡± Flora responded. ¡°You¡¯ll have a new bed tonight.¡±


    ¡°Really? Where?¡± Taylor asked, sounding fake excited.


    Flora spread her hands apart and spoke with equally fake, country style enthusiasm. ¡°The floor. And don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m going to stay up with you until you fall asleep so you¡¯ll have plenty of company.¡±


    Taylor laughed to himself. ¡°Well, well Sunny flower, you¡¯ll be up all night then. I¡¯m a night person. I find it hard to sleep around beautiful ladies.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Flora responded with a purr. ¡°We country girls have a special way to aid insomnia.¡±


    ¡°Oh do you?¡± said Taylor closing his eyes with a smile.


    Flora walked past Taylor who didn¡¯t notice she left. She reached and snatched up one of the cylindrical radios. Taylor spun around to see her but it was too late. She had already smashed the radio over his head, causing him to topple to the ground with a loud thud. She ran back out to the ship, leaving the door open, retrieved some rope and worked on tying Taylor¡¯s legs up so he couldn¡¯t move further. She then retired herself on a lounge couch by the hot tub, proud of herself and her space captain duties. For a while, she laid awake; she was still bothered that her best friend didn¡¯t appreciate her more.

 An Unlikely Alliance

    Aya woke up choking on the strong unnatural scents that lingered around the bed. Not only did they smell like flowers, but flowers lingering with a strong magnification of body odor. She never despised the smell of sweat, having been around it as farmers worked in the orchids back home, but the smell that bothered her was ten times as obnoxious and seemed artificial as well. ¡°Aya, are you ok?¡± Her friend asked from down below her. ¡°Are you still sick?¡±


    ¡°Just sick from this smell?¡± she responded, trying to cram parts of her baggy space suit up her nose.


    ¡°Ah,¡± Taylor said, ¡°I see you smell my hormone cologne. The unadulterated smell of raw man. ¡®Mones that make you moan.¡±


    ¡°Raw man? It smells like rotten eggs,¡± Aya groaned trying to swat the smell away. ¡°And I don¡¯t mind the smell of someone who works up a healthy sweat.¡±


    ¡°I agree with you Aya,¡± Flora responded. ¡°If we¡¯re going to stay here. We gotta get that smell out.¡±


    Taylor attempted to raise his hands up in objection. ¡°Hold on. You¡¯re going to live here now? Am I just going to be your prisoner forever?¡±


    Aya slipped out of her baggy astronaut outfit to reveal her middrift bearing top and tribal skirt combo. It had gotten very sweaty in the artificial heating and she wondered if her own body had contributed to the smell. She walked down the stairs and Taylor blew out a whistle seemingly forgetting his previous objections. Aya pointed her fingers to the man who was tied up with his face and hair matted on the floor. ¡°Look, we don¡¯t want to run your life. What you did was pretty unforgivable, and now you¡¯re going to make amends for it before we let you do anything again.¡±


    Taylor gave a laugh that was very deep and cruel, but it was unknown who he was laughing at until he spoke. ¡°I¡¯m going to take this as a test from the great beyond. I obviously messed with some cosmic fate on your planet and it landed me in this lovely situation.¡±


    Aya¡¯s bright blue eyes were taken by his words and they gazed at him with less harshness. ¡°I never figured you were spiritual. Men like you thrive on nihilism and refuse to believe in consequences.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not spiritual,¡± Taylor responded before he paused. ¡°But these recent happenings smack too much of divine meddling. My big dream sure turned into a big nightmare.¡±


    Aya put her bare feet that were small for an Aquan but big for a human in front of Taylor¡¯s head as she walked over him and squatted down beside him.


    ¡°What are you going to do about it?¡± she asked with a tilt of her head.


    Taylor struggled to get upright. Aya could see there was a big bump on his head from where Flora had smashed him unconscious. ¡°I¡¯m going to see what happens when I do something right for a change¡± he said, and Aya grabbed his roped legs.


    She unraveled them, much to her friend¡¯s surprise. Flora notice how she was surprisingly lenient to a man who stabbed her with a dagger when they got into a fight, but she chalked it up to Taylor¡¯s born again narrative having an effect on Aya. Aya was a devout Aquan. Of the three elven species¡¯ that once inhabited the planet of Tarabos, the Aquans were the most spiritual. Nearly all of them believed everyone and everything was part of the Big Dream, a vision held by a divine Creator, and Aya proudly upheld these beliefs.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Taylor said, struggling to his legs. ¡°You won¡¯t regret this.¡±


    ¡°Great,¡± Aya responded. ¡°Now get yourself ready; we¡¯re going to the Electra Company.¡±


    Taylor leapt to his feet with surprisingly balance in spite of his tied hands. ¡°Wait hold the phone. Are you really going like that?¡±


    ¡°Going like what?¡± Aya pointed at herself.


    Taylor scoffed to himself. ¡°First things first, we have to teach this na?ve Aquan about the world¡¯s decorum. For one, you should never walk around with your chest and your butt exposed in the civilized world of business.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Aya said, more curious than offended. ¡°I like showing off my diamond fish tattoos. They are a sign of pride among my people.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but unfortunately, you also have your chest and butt exposed, and that will attract a lot of attention.¡±


    ¡°From who?¡±


    ¡°Leering men.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I get that all the time in my village tavern¡±¡ªAya took her fist and smacked her fist into the palm of her opposing hand¡ª¡±If a farmer in the tavern gets drunk and reaches for me, I smash him across the table. I¡¯ve started some of the best bar fights that way.¡±


    Taylor side eyed away from Aya and murmured, ¡°I¡¯m not worried about you, I¡¯m worried about other people.¡±


    ¡°You mean other women who can¡¯t defend themselves? I firmly believe that all women should take a self-defense class or carry a weapon to protect¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± Taylor spoke with worry in his eyes. ¡°If people see me with you, dressed like that, they¡¯re going to think I¡¯m with some trick.¡±


    ¡°I promise not to practice any magic in front of these people. It took people on my planetoid several years to get used to it.¡±


    ¡°Let me clarify,¡± Taylor responded. ¡°They¡¯re going to think you¡¯re some woman of the night.¡±


    ¡°I maintain a strict curfew of 9, most nights¡± Aya said with an oblivious look of confidence.


    ¡°Ugh, they¡¯re going to think you¡¯re some woman that I pay to love me.¡±


    Aya frowned with the sudden burst of clarity in Taylor¡¯s words. She placed her hands on her hips and said, ¡°Funny how you liked my body on my planet and now you want to hide it on yours. Let¡¯s just say, I wouldn¡¯t be inclined to listen to you if it wasn¡¯t so cold here.¡±


    All the while Flora was watching the conversation lightly amused by her friend¡¯s ignorance and Taylor¡¯s secret insecurities.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she said softly to Aya. ¡°I found some very nice coats laid on his dresser.¡±


    The dresser with an enormous mirror stood to the left of the raised platform. It had two coats hanging slumped off of it, a man¡¯s and a woman¡¯s. The man¡¯s had a tanned fringe made of yellow leather and the woman¡¯s was insulated, black, and draped all the way down to where someone¡¯s legs would be. There was a cylindrical black hat made of fluffy material to match the coat. Aya and Flora made no bones about donning these coats, with Aya squeezing into the tall black overcoat, and Flora donning the equally thick yellow coat. All the while Taylor grumbled about those clothes being a ¡°gift¡± for him and his little streak of lightning.


    Keeping Taylor in his space suit, they lead him to the Blue Thunder and seated themselves comfortably in the ship. Aya wasn¡¯t as uncomfortable as she was last time, having been informed that the ride would be a short one over to the parking garage of Electra Towers. It loomed in the distance; it was a short mile from the penthouse. She simply relaxed, took deep breaths and closed her eyes, letting Flora say the coordinates as they sailed through a snowy morning.


    The three felt the subtemperate chill of the morning before the spaceship warmed up. It was enough of a waker-upper for the three riders. ¡°G-g-g-g-eez, Louise, does this snow ever stop?¡± Flora said shivering.


    Her body, used to the warm sunlight of her planetoid, rejected the cold and made it hard for her to talk. Taylor responded, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been winter for a long time. They say this might be the start of an ice age for our little berg.¡±


    ¡°G-g-g-great,¡± Flora responded. ¡°I¡¯m glad I don¡¯t have to d-d-d-d-rive. I¡¯d be way too jittery.¡±


    The ship flew to a towering parking garage next to the four pronged Electra Towers. It had at least 16 entrances for spaceships like the Blue Thunder but a beam of red electricity blocked the entrance on each floor. ¡°W-w-what are we going to do that?¡± Flora asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m a card carrying member of Electra Towers,¡± Taylor said in a snide tone. ¡°And that little decal on my ship isn¡¯t just a beauty mark, it¡¯s our ticket in.¡±


    The ship lunged into the beam of electricity and was caught up in it. A mechanical male baritone boomed over the speakers. ¡°Thunder pass scanned. Welcome Mr. Lunsford.¡±This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The beam dissipated allowing the ship to fly through and park between yellow and green variants of the Blue Thunder. The ship lowered itself and let out a crackle of electricity. ¡°I think I know why Taylor likes machines so much,¡± said Aya, opening her eyes with a wry look.


    ¡°Why?¡± Flora asked.


    ¡°They¡¯re the only one who trust him.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha,¡± Taylor vocalized without actually laughing. ¡°The Taylor jokes are starting to get a little tired around here.¡±


    Aya punched his shoulder. ¡°This time, I¡¯m only teasing. I¡¯m actually in a good mood. Everything¡¯s actually working out, and if you behave yourself, things will work out for you too.¡±


    Taylor smirked. ¡°I¡¯ll try to keep that in mind.¡±


    Taylor led the two women down thirteen flights of stone stairs, and when they reached the bottom side walk, they realized they were on the inside of a force field protected fortress-like enclosure that prevented people from merely walking into Electra Towers. They stood at the front entrance. A large black rotating door with gold plating lined it in gaudy fashion. It stood between them and the towers of Electra. ¡°Welcome ladies,¡± Taylor said, ¡°to the generator of this world¡¯s power.


    ¡°It sure is a big building,¡± Aya said, with her mouth agape. ¡°Its bigger than the white mountains back home.¡±


    ¡°This place makes your mountain look like a child¡¯s toy,¡± Taylor boasted. ¡°Just do me favor.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Remove these binds, please. You¡¯re going to look mighty suspicious having me all tied up. Especially in front of my madame.¡±


    ¡°Flora and I talked about this,¡± Aya responded. ¡°And we are going to let you free; but remember, Flora still has your remote thingy. She can activate your ship and blow your apartment to bits if you get out of hand.¡±


    Taylor let out an agitated sigh. ¡°You ladies really think of everything don¡¯t you. Ok. I will. I¡¯ll be on my best behavior.¡±


    Flora loosened the binds on his arms and Aya stared at him, ready to jump if he pulled some deadly trick. Instead, Taylor just shook his arms free and began to wiggle and shake them. ¡°Aw man, feels so good to get some blood up in these joints!¡±


    He continued to flap his hands until he received disproving looks from both Aya and Flora. He quickly swished his hands to the side. ¡°Uh, sorry. Ladies, you go first.¡±


    Aya stood inside the rotating door. The door was divided into three separate areas and when Aya stepped on the accessible one, the platform spun causing Aya to wobble and holler, holding on to the support bar for what she perceived to be her dear life. As soon as the door allowed her into the interior of Electra Towers, she leapt out and watched both Flora and Taylor calmly enter and exit.


    ¡°Whee, I kinda like that thing,¡± Flora said in a flighty yet happy voice.


    ¡°That things crazy,¡± Aya said, breathing heavily. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it have been easier just to push yourself inside?¡±


    ¡°No need to when everything is Electra charged,¡± Taylor said, raising his arms to showcase the enormous inside world of Electra Towers.


    The main lobby had a ceiling that towered like a throne room with yellow and green banners to match. The thunderbolt with high heels insignia on Taylor¡¯s ship emblazoned the center of the large banners letting the Tower¡¯s corporate logo be known to anyone as soon as they entered the rotating door. Aya was reminded of the time her teacher and caretaker, Jeeg took her to the ocean palace of the Aquan king. Patrons were allowed inside the large center chamber when the king was away and the Electra Towers commanded the same powerful presence. On each side of Aya, were large see-through pillars with rainbow colored electric energy running up and down through them. The front desk where the secretary sat seemed miles away in comparison.


    As the three began their trek to the front desk, Eterna spoke to Aya with concern, ¡°Child, you see these pillars?¡±¡ªAya pulled her hand closer so Eterna could be heard better¡ª"Somehow these humans have harnessed a powerful magic that is contained with them. Magic like this doesn¡¯t come for free and there must have been a sacrifice taken for this to be achieved.¡±


    Aya talked into her arm so Taylor wouldn¡¯t hear her. ¡°Do you want me to find out how?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I still don¡¯t trust that knave and I surely don¡¯t trust the humans who reared him.¡±


    Aya nodded and lowered Eterna down. They had reached the front desk. To the left and the right were chambered doors. The secretary with lengthy white blond hair resembled someone who had been charged full of electricity many times, even though Aya could see it had more to do with the beverage she was drinking out of a bright yellow cup. Every time she drank it she jittered more. Her cheerfully manic eyes lit up brighter than a flash of lightning when she saw Taylor. ¡°Ooh, look its Tay-Tay, he¡¯s returned back from his trip.¡±


    Taylor grumbled, but quickly summoned his charm with a suave millionaire smile, ¡°Yes,ahem ,Tay-Tay is back, baby. Ready to greet uh¡­what¡¯s your name again?¡±


    ¡°Sasha Chargerson,¡± the girl said without feeling the slightest bit offended.


    ¡°Right. The fact that Electra Co. only hires platinum blonds gets me confused sometimes.¡±


    ¡°Well, Taytay, I heard some news about you,¡± the secretary announced while leaning on the desk and rattling it with jittering hands. ¡°I heard from the girls on the seventh floor who heard from the girls three floors down who heard from the girls four floors up who heard from the boys five floors down who¡­¡±


    Aya held her head, and said aloud, ¡°Agh, why is math involved with this gossip?¡±


    ¡°Who heard from people who aren¡¯t even in this building but read the tabloids that the madame said after you left her to go on your little voyage that she¡¯s going to find herself another boy toy.¡±


    Taylor gave a sleazy smile that looked more like a wince. ¡°If you cut through all that he-said-she-said nonsense, you¡¯ll find the ice-cold heart of my little streak of lightning. I guess if she can¡¯t have me right now, she won¡¯t have me at all.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like it but now there¡¯s more of you to go around for all of us,¡± the secretary said in a singsong voice. ¡°By the way, Taytay who are these two girls? Oh my!¡±


    The secretary pointed at Aya who was decked out in the fashion forward overcoat and hat and quickly ran out to her. ¡°Is that a really posh elven woman? I thought they were only in myths and fairy tales.¡±


    Her tiny body was dwarfed by Aya¡¯s height, but she leapt up and touched Aya¡¯s ears with her hands stretched out. ¡°Her ears are so pointy, how quaint.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather you not touch those,¡± Aya said, grimacing at the secretary. ¡°Unless you want me to tug on yours.¡±


    Aya outstretched her hands to grab the secretary but she shuffled backwards towards Taylor. ¡°She¡¯s a very grumpy elf too. Is she the duchess of Fairyland?¡±


    Taylor put his arms on the secretary who seemed very pleased with his action. ¡°She acts like a snooty duchess but really she¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m one of the last remaining people of Tarabos,¡± Aya said, retaining her stern expression but now adding some emotionality into her voice. ¡°And the people of the planetoid I live on are in desperate need of help. We¡¯d like to request an audience with the madame¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± the secretary said, moving her hand to her mouth. ¡°Well if that¡¯s why these women are here, Taytay, I¡¯ll call the madame for you.¡±


    She dashed to the intercom and paged it with a slap of her hand on the button. ¡°Heya this is Sasha. I¡¯ve two other women from a neighboring planetoid¡­¡±


    ¡°The madame isn¡¯t here,¡± said a deep, middle aged male voice ¡°And you know she doesn¡¯t take solicitors.¡±


    Sasha was startled by the harshness and her voice shot up an octave, ¡°But Taylor brought them here and¡­and¡­¡±


    ¡°Taylor? Mr. Lunsford is there?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Tay-Tay and these two other women.¡±


    ¡°Send them up. The madame has been expecting Mr. Lunsford. She penciled him in for groveling and pleading for her forgiveness a week ago.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± Sasha shouted with coffee stimulated excitement.


    ¡°Ok see you in a half hour,¡± the man responded and hung up.


    Sasha put her hands together and twiddled her fingers happily. ¡°Get right up there, Tiger. Oh and if I may suggest a little something, the first-timers in Electra Towers should take the door on the left.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been in there,¡± Taylor said. ¡°This will be a new experience for me as well.¡±


    The group thanking Sasha proceeded up the staircase to the left of her desk to a large grey door guarded by burly men in yellow and black uniforms. They wore hats resembling police caps but instead were marked with their company logo. Dark shades covered their eyes and to Flora, they looked as intimidating as men dressed as bees could possibly look. Aya, on the other hand, believed she could take both of them on even with the dark cannon looking weapons strapped around their backs.


    They both stepped aside when they saw Taylor. ¡°Hey boys, the Yellow Jacket corp never looked snazzier,¡± he said winking and flicking his fingers.


    ¡°Mr. Lunsford, let me work the elevator for you and your friends,¡± the Yellow Jacket on the left said.


    ¡°Well if you insist, Barry.¡±


    Barry pressed a button and the elevator came down in a matter of seconds with the grey doors sliding open with a ding. The elevator was barely large enough for the whole group as well as Barry and he stepped inside with them.


    ¡°Golly day, I sure hope none of us are claustrophobic,¡± Flora said softly.


    ¡°Not me. I live the party life on crowded dance floors,¡± Taylor responded back smoothly.


    Aya pressed her body tightly up against the wall to avoid touching anyone else. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­be ok,¡± she said, being reminded of being packed tightly in the spaceship.


    Barry pressed the single button on the elevator and it illuminated with a yellow glow. The whole time Barry stood with a stern look on his face as the elevator jerked upward startling the Aquan who wasn¡¯t used to any mechanical technology. However, when the elevator reached the top, Barry unfolded his hands and turned to share a somewhat goofy grin with the group. ¡°Well, you¡¯re here at the Bio-Coaster. Be sure to hold onto your belongings and enjoy the ride.¡±


    ¡°Bio, what?¡± Aya asked after a moment¡¯s hesitation.


    Barry ushered everyone out and they stood alone on a dark room with only a small lightened platform to guide them. ¡°Man, I wish I was as lucky as you, kids,¡± he said as the elevator closed and dropped down.


    As they walked further, the platform began to light up and lead their way, and after walking up a small three step metal platform, they reached a strange vehicle. It resembled a metal cart with six different rows of seats, and each two seats connected by a segment that kept them separate. On the side of the cart was a yellow thunderbolt with a light green background. The cart seemed to be on a set of rails that were barely illuminated. ¡°I guess this is the bio-coaster,¡± Taylor said, ¡°It¡¯s kinda like a roller coaster but I¡¯ve heard it¡¯s a bit more informative.¡±


    ¡°What is a rolla-costa?¡± Aya asked, her bright blue eyes illuminated by the glow of the floor.


    ¡°Well Miss Aquan, step inside, and you¡¯ll get to experience one first hand,¡± Taylor said, ¡°Oh and maybe it¡¯s better if you sit behind Sunflower and I knowing how excitable you are.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Aya wondered, but when Flora nodded in agreement with Taylor, she did what he said.


    As soon as everyone was seated and a large metallic safety bar tethered them to their seats, a figure appeared in front of them on the tracks. The figure almost seemed spectral in how it appeared from a golden glowing projector on the rails. It was the white-blond haired business woman that Aya and Flora had seen in Taylor¡¯s photograph. She had a very confident and bold expression on her impossibly smooth face. In a husky voice that echoed around the room she announced, ¡°Welcome one and all, to Electra Tower¡¯s Bio-Coaster in 4D. An amusement ride and auto-biography all rolled into one. Buckle up, baby. You¡¯re in for the ride of my life!¡±

 History on Wheels

    The bio-coaster creaked to a start and drove towards the hologram. Flora let out a scream as they drove through the likeness of Maxine Caruso, before she realized it was a hologram. The coaster moved along in a linear, moderate speed before jerking to a stop. Aya let out a loud burp in response. Another hologram lit up in front of them- A couple in brown tattered robes and white-blond hair stood holding a baby. Maxine¡¯s voice broadcasted itself loudly. ¡°My story, like all great stories, is a tale of rags to riches and a rise to glory.¡±


    The couple faded to show a young girl standing in the same brown robes. Her eyes were bright green and though she looked impoverished, they shone with a feline-like confidence. ¡°My origins were truly shameful,¡± the voice over announced. ¡°It was the only time in my life that I didn¡¯t wear designer outfits.¡±


    Flora, Taylor and Aya watched as the young girl began to age. She grew into her face, and her body began to shape itself into a fully developed female form. Taylor let out a breath of air accompanied by a whistle. ¡°I forgot what a fox the madam was when she was young.¡±


    The voice over continued, ¡°But as I blossomed, I began to realize I had assets just as valuable as money.¡±


    The young woman¡¯s cranium opened and a realistic throbbing brain emerged. ¡°I had remarkable brains to accompany my extraordinary beauty. I was a genius at age seventeen, but that secret I hid from everyone, even my parents.¡±


    ¡°This is too real,¡± Aya said, half amazed, half disgusted.


    The cart passed through the lobotomized Maxine to the next hologram: A village of metal two story houses on a planetoid. It looked very similar to the one Aya hailed from. ¡°Just a little background knowledge on The City Electric,¡± the voice-over announced. ¡°Like me, it had lowly origins before it rose to greatness. It was originally a mining city owned by the Sutherland Steel and Mining Company. Unlike some other more primitive planetoids, the Sutherland Steel Company mined and extracted steel from our planetoid, allowing an age of steel to rein over it.¡±


    The village changed to the visage of a middle aged man in silver suit. He was dashing, with a full head of hair and a neatly groomed mustache that was black intertwined with a silver-grey. ¡°Stan Sutherland, a handsome but eccentric silver daddy was the proud owner of the steel company and after he divorced his second wife, I saw a golden, no a silver opportunity.¡±


    Maxine strutted seductively even in her brown tattered rags to Stan Sutherland and they gazed passionately into each other¡¯s eyes. ¡°A nubile young woman meets a man of money and it¡¯s love at first ka-ching.¡±


    Maxine¡¯s body was enveloped in a white dress and her and a grinning Sutherland stood on an altar. ¡°And you know what they say, love leads to marriage, and marriage leads to grave illness¡­?¡±


    The cart clicked on the rails and passed through the just-married couple and their visage dissolved into a black fog. Everyone was blinded by this unpleasant and thick mist until Flora saw a small cavern appear in front of the vehicle. Maxine¡¯s voice cut through the fog. ¡°Disaster struck in one of my hubby¡¯s mines. Black smog poured out and the men who had triggered it were lost forever. The smog at its strongest had absorbed them. Nobody knows what caused this mysterious gas that leaked onto our planetoid; and to this day, it remains an ecological mystery.¡±


    Sutherland dressed in a thick rubber gas mask and a mining helmet headed into the mine with numerous other men. ¡°My hubby, ever the bold and courageous man ventured into the haze hoping to save some of his employees. He succeeded at the expense of his health.¡±


    Sutherland appeared in bed, wrapped in blankets. His face was covered in dark smudges. It was a face that remained determined despite its wear.


    Maxine waited over his laid out body. ¡°I tried to remain the trophy wife he always yearned for. I waited on him every day and did more work than the maids. It was only one day when I was in his study, did I suddenly have an epiphany that lead to a change in occupation.¡±


    A hologram of Maxine cleaned the head of thunderboar taxidermy that hung on the wall. Its normally colorful tusks that would have the power to shoot electricity were dulled with death. It disgusted Aya more than anything and she hid Eterna in her pocket so as not to enrage the wolfhound spirit. ¡°I was cleaning the head of a thunderboar he hunted in his youth; but right when I walked to clean it, my heel made intimate contact with a rug on the floor. I would have knocked my lights out except my hand caught on the tusk of the dead beast. It snapped off in my hand and when I rose to my feet, I had made the greatest discovery since sliced bread.¡±


    The hologram zoomed into the beasts broken horn. ¡°Here¡¯s a little science lesson for the kiddies. Inside a Thunderboar¡¯s tusk is a node that creates electricity. When a thunderboar dies, its node becomes dormant. Most believed it ceases functioning with the death of the beast; but on that faithful day, I found that the energy still remained and can become active again if you break off the horn.¡±


    Maxine ripped the rest of the tusk off the beast and watched as electricity brightened up the dark room from her hand. It buzzed around excitedly and she was amazed as she carried it, brightening all the corners of the room. As the electricity buzzled hostilely, she quickly grabbed a circular glass vase that lay on her husbands¡¯ desk. Flipping it over, she put the electricity generating node inside of it. Light shone from the glass in a miraculous golden blue light. ¡°It¡¯s kind of rough, but it will have to do,¡± the holographic Maxine said with a smile.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The voiceover continued. ¡°I didn¡¯t tell anyone of my discovery, not even my husband. Instead, using my brains, I began to think of many ways this controllable electricity could benefit humanity.¡±


    Large amounts of machines flashed by on the holograms. Taylor knew all of these creations but most of them were unknown to Aya and Flora. ¡°A lightning jar, a crude steel generator, a mining drill, a telescreen, an electric powered spaceship, an electrical cannon,¡± the voice over listed the devices as they passed by. ¡°All of these items I had envisioned in my head, and with the help of my hubby¡¯s team of scientists, we invented objects from my wildest dreams one by one.¡±


    The bio-coaster passed through these objects; and having reached a hill, began to ascend. ¡°Everyone credited me to discovering this new use of energy. With my husband out of action, people began to look onto me as the new leader of Sutherland Steel Company. My husband was too tired to combat the many people who supported my new position; and as we stood at his bedside, he soon realized that I, Maxine Caruso, had taken his place, and had been appointed the first chairwoman ever to front Sutherland Steel. He could rest easily. And on the day he died, he cried tears, tears as precious as diamonds when he witnessed his wife blossom into a fully capable leader of his people.¡±


    As they ascended further and further up the hill, Aya, Taylor and Flora observed as the company logo of Sutherland Steel was painted over and replaced with the much gaudier Electra Company logo, complete with the thunderbolt donning heels. ¡°In honor of my hubby and the new electricity that powered our world, I named my new company, Electra.¡±


    The trio watched as the small mining village began to grow more and more metallic. Trees fell and were replaced with roads and the buildings rose to become towering skyscrapers. Men and women struggled with steel girders, carrying them on their back in hopes to construct a great monument. ¡°Over the last 35 years, our small village grew into a small city with constant advancements. We christened this newly constructed city, The City Electric, after the godlike gift I discovered. It seemed in just a short time, we had leapt forward with generations of advancement.¡±


    The City Electric with all of its electronic glowing signs and bright lights glistened at the top of the hill of rails. ¡°We¡¯ve reached the end of our road to glory, baby. Now all that¡¯s left is to enjoy the world of leisure and decadence that only the finest electricity can afford.¡±


    With a jerk forward, the bio coaster sped down the hill, tearing through the air at a speed that was hellraising fun for Taylor and Flora and too much for Aya. Aya could barely process what she had just witnessed, and thought only negative thoughts at a primal level; cruelty, murder, blood. She gritted her teeth and leaned on the coaster¡¯s safety bars, her long claw-like nails grasping it tight. Her head cleared a small amount as the coaster dipped down onto a linear track but it soon shot back into a flustered rage as she found herself going on a triple loop de loop. Her head turned round with every loop and she could almost feel herself lose touch with the bottom of her stomach as its contents filled her mouth. Just as the three loops completed and the coaster came to a stop, she swallowed the sickly juice that filled her mouth and it burned her throat. Even though they had stopped, her eyes could scarcely stay focused in one direction. The cheers from the front seat baffled her. She had no idea how such a terrifying ride could be so enjoyable from either a moral standpoint or a physical one.


    With a jet of steam, the safety bars loosened up and released their prisoner. Aya climbed to the safety platform, before dropping to the floor. ¡°Oh dear,¡± Flora said, ¡°Are you ok?¡±


    Her friend grabbed Aya and attempted to lift her thick body off the floor. Taylor joined in grabbing Aya¡¯s other hand and propped up the limp Aquan on their shoulders. ¡°Remind me not to bring you to the Karnevil,¡± Taylor said, before pumping his hand in the air and cheering. ¡°But man, that was a blast. I can¡¯t believe I missed out on that for so long.¡±


    ¡°I liked the educational part too,¡± Flora exclaimed. ¡°It¡¯s amazing how Madame Maxine fashioned a whole business empire. She¡¯s a true mogul!¡±


    Aya¡¯s stomach sunk again, but this time it wasn¡¯t due to jerking motion. Her voice slurred at the start but slowly picked up traction as it grew more accusatory. ¡°You don¡¯t care that she built it out of the suffering animals and humans?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think of it like that,¡± Flora responded, ¡°I just thought that I¡¯d love to start my own fashion empire. Only no one gets hurt¡­unless you prick yourself.¡±


    Aya picked up her dragging feet so no one would have to carry her. ¡°Or make things out of hides, Flora.¡±


    Flora was puzzled by her friend¡¯s hostility and it reflected in her widened eyes. ¡°I¡¯d never do that Aya.¡±


    Aya¡¯s head sunk. ¡°Yes, I know. Sorry this whole bio-coaster really upset me.¡±


    ¡°Well don¡¯t be,¡± Flora said in a sweet but serious tone. ¡°We have to be on our best behavior for Maxine. It¡¯s our planetoids safety that matters the most.¡±


    Aya let both Taylor and Flora get ahead of her as they walked towards another elevator. She held her arm and saw Eterna frowning with a look of utter disdain on her canine maw. ¡°This woman is not to be trifled with, my child. She has done things that not even the humans of your village could inflict on the wilderness. It seems the Thunderboars were right in fearing the lightning wielding humans they prophesized would come.¡±


    Aya nodded. ¡°I loath her with my whole body.¡±


    ¡°Just be on your guard. Who knows how she¡¯ll react to a whole other planetoid rife with Thunderboars.¡±


    Aya gave another affirmative nod. She knew this situation had to be handled extremely carefully. She had no idea how she¡¯d be able to show a friendly accommodating face to a woman she¡¯d much rather deck in the face at full force and tear at her skin with her fangs. All she knew was the fate of her own planetoid was in an even more precarious position than she previously believed. And all the strength, skill and wisdoms her ancestors granted her would be required to save it.

 A Shocking Revelation

    Aya caught up with her friend and her nemesis on the elevator. Taylor relaxed against the elevator¡¯s yellow and green pinstriped walls. ¡°You talking to yourself again, Miss Aquan? My father always told me, never lock lips with crazy.¡±


    ¡°Great. I guess that means I¡¯ll never have to kiss you!¡± Aya responded, backing Taylor further up against the wall.


    ¡°Remember what we told you, Mr. Lunsford,¡± Flora responded, ¡°If you misbehave, no more penthouse. Maybe you should stop with the banter.¡±


    ¡°Geez, banter is the oil that keeps this machine churning and turning,¡± Taylor complained while moving his arms in a chugging motion. ¡°But I¡¯ll heed your words, just thinking about what you did to me last night makes you scarier than Miss Aquan.¡±


    Flora giggled, ¡°I¡¯m glad I made striking impression on you, Mr. Lunsford.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you struck me alright. Press the button for the 70th floor if you wish to see the madam.¡±


    All three occupants of the elevator mentally prepared themselves for audience with the madame. They stood in silence, each thinking about their next move. Aya realized she had to play on both the offensive and the defensive- asking the madame for assistance, while at the same time, not revealing much about her planetoid. Flora, although wary from what her friend said, had a much less negative opinion toward the madame. The madame was a woman who took a subservient role until, much like Flora, an opportunity arose where she could be so much more. Flora hoped that she could in addition to helping the planet, seek some advice from the madame herself about what path she should venture down herself. She desperately hoped Aya wouldn¡¯t mind if she asked. Taylor stood by with a calm look on his face that masked his agitation and anxiety. He meditated softly, knowing full well that a chance may arise where he could turn things in his favor.


    With a ¡°Now arriving at the 70th floor¡± the elevator¡¯s doors slid apart and ushered everyone into a marble hallway. The marble floor swirled in blacks and whites. Between pillars that lined the hallway hung portraits of carefully labeled members of the Sutherland family each with their own eccentric facial hair. The heat was at a much higher level, causing Aya and Flora to both shed their clothes revealing their signature outfits, much to Taylor¡¯s dismay. But he resolved not to question his female captors or face their wrath. ¡°Wowee,¡± Flora said, her twirling sundress now free from her heavy coat. ¡°This is fancier than my own manor.¡±


    ¡°No offense, sunflower but the madame¡¯s illustrious headquarters makes Du Bois manor look like a fast food barn.¡±


    ¡°Normally, I¡¯d resent that but this place is so cool,¡± Flora said, flitting from portrait to portrait.


    ¡°Remember why we¡¯re here Flor,¡± Aya said stolid and solemn, ¡°You can marvel at paintings in your parent¡¯s mansion, not here.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Flora nodded with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    The three headed to a large door made of pure brass. Flora heaved at one of the handles, and only when her Aquan friend pulled with her in tandem did they manage to open it. The three made their way inside before the heavy door closed on them. They were greeted with a polished dark wood table that stretched horizontally across a cream colored carpeted floor. At the table were men. They were mostly bearded with grey hair and grey suits. The way their facial hair curled and twirled looked a lot like the Sutherland portraits except they were three dimensional. Each one of them commanded a judgmental veneer; and gazed at the outsiders, not with disdain, but rather like they were fish out of water. They muttered about Aya¡¯s ears and her exposed midriff. They were the things that stuck out to them the most, but they also said things about Flora¡¯s large sunhat and sundress. Both women didn¡¯t stop to argue; they were more focused on taking things up with the madame rather than her henchmen.


    As they went further down the table, they saw a rotating chair with its back turned, patterned with yellow and green neon thunderbolts. Aya couldn¡¯t wait any longer and snapped, ¡°Caruso, we are here to talk with you about urgent matters.¡±


    As Aya power walked, she noticed a man younger than the grey beards. He wasn¡¯t that much younger, seeming to be in his forties, but his full head of brown hair was closely cropped and his face was smooth. His eyes were a lot softer than the other men, and his suit was a less elderly pinstriped black. He held his hands together. ¡°You¡¯re looking for Miss Caruso?¡± he asked with his hands together. ¡°She¡¯s my pride and joy. She¡¯ll be here any moment.¡±


    ¡°Who are you? Her new husband?¡± Aya demanded, with an abrasiveness.


    The man was about to speak when he heard the creak of the brass door, and he stood up with his hands happily pressed together. ¡°There she is!¡±


    Aya, Taylor and Flora watched as the figure who opened the door got closer and closer. They soon realized their expectations had been subverted. A girl around the age of 18 or 19 powerwalked towards them, with a drive far older than she was. Her hair was white blond much like Maxine Caruso¡¯s but her long hair was bundled into two buns like balls of white lighting. Her outfit was a dark sweater with a high heeled lightning bolt insignia and a yellow and brown plaid skirt. Her legs and face were pasty and white much like Maxine Caruso herself. She was followed by a tall, lanky woman with an intense glare. Her hair was cut into a dark bowel shaped bob, and her eyes were a bright orange. They burned in contrast with her pale stolid demeanor. She wore a uniform and an officer¡¯s hat; it was yellow and black just like the guards Aya saw earlier. There was something shadowy about this woman, something that lead Aya to believe she wasn¡¯t merely a body guard.


    Slung over her shoulders was a school bag, which the girl aggressively hurled at the forty year old man, who caught it in his arms, pushing back his revolving chair in the process. She let out an agitated breath of air after looking Aya over and condemned her with a sharp tongue. ¡°I¡¯m gone for 8 hours and you goons hire some dancer to entertain yourselves? This is a new low even for you,¡± she said, glaring while chewing some neon colored gum.


    ¡°Is that how you introduce yourself, you little brat?¡± Aya spat in return. ¡°Who even are you?¡±


    The girl sneered at her in response, turning up her perky nose. ¡°You¡¯re some random, underdressed elf lady who barged into my meeting room. You deserve no introduction from me.¡±


    The forty year old man who rebounded after catching the girl¡¯s stray bag stood up and whispered to her, ¡°Princess, they¡¯re with Mr. Lunsford¡ªTaylor.¡±


    The girl¡¯s mouth hung open with only an audible squeak escaping from it. Her face grew pale, with the exception of a not so subtle makeup job shading her lips and cheeks bright red, as she noticed Taylor standing between Flora and Aya. Shedding some of her own decorum, she dashed to him and hugged him. He recoiled and cringed with a smile. The girl much shorter than him pushed her face into his clothes. ¡°You¡¯re back, Taylor sweetheart. I missed you soooooo much.¡±


    Taylor lifted his hands above her. His voice was flustered at first but slowly slid into cool calmness. ¡°I thought you said you were going to get another boy-toy, Priscilla.¡±


    Priscilla gasped and her voice whined and bawled like a teenager would. ¡°No. Never. I¡¯d never give you up. I was just mad. Mad you had to leave me. You didn¡¯t even say why.¡±


    ¡°Just a little soul searching, I guess,¡± Taylor responded.


    Priscilla¡¯s hands, adorned with long colorful nails dug into Taylor¡¯s coat. ¡°You¡¯re not happy here?¡±


    ¡°After the madam died. I had to leave for a bit.¡±


    ¡°What?! Madam Caruso¡¯s dead?¡± Aya and Flora both exclaimed.


    Priscilla¡¯s hands loosened on Taylor¡¯s coat and turned around with a sad expression, one that belonged to a sad, lonely and lost child.


    Taylor bent his head and looked reflective for a split second as he spoke. Everyone else did too. ¡°Rest her soul,¡± he said.


    ¡°What happened to her?¡± Flora asked.


    ¡°Rich folks,¡± Taylor said solemnly. ¡°They sometimes have everything they need financially, but there¡¯s still a gaping hole in their soul. That was the case for the madame; and one day, she just ended it all.¡±


    Looks of sympathy shaded over both Aya and Flora. Both were capable of feeling sorrow for troubled people. Even though they knew full well who Madame Caruso was, they could tell her problems might have justified the means to end them. Aya in particular, began to realize that maybe there was guilt in what Caruso did. She didn¡¯t know enough about the madame; but she knew, if she was in the same position as the Madam, all of the guilt would sink into her like a pin cushion.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Miss Caruso,¡± Aya interjected. ¡°I know this is a bad time but we seriously need your help.¡±


    ¡°I wished you¡¯d go away,¡± Priscilla snapped through green crystalline eyes of sadness. ¡°I don¡¯t have times for the problems of some rude elf lady.¡±


    ¡°Please excuse my daughter,¡± the man in his forties said. ¡°She¡¯s not over what my wife did. None of us are.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to take it out on me,¡± said Aya crossing her arms.


    Flora walked over to Priscilla, and said with her sweet-as-nectar voice, ¡°I¡¯m really sorry to hear about that. People often forget that the rich have the same anxieties as everyone else.¡±


    Priscilla looked Flora over, her bright sundress and hat taking her by surprise. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Flora Du Bois. I¡¯m an aristocrat myself¡±¡ªshe pointed her eyes towards the atmosphere¡ª¡°I¡¯m nowhere as high up as you, but I belong to the richest family on my planetoid.¡±


    ¡°Are you?¡± Priscilla¡¯s eyes grew increasing wide and cat-like as her voice grew softer and friendlier. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like your outfit. It¡¯s so fashion backwards it loops around to fashion forward.¡±


    Flora gave a twirl. ¡°Wow, thanks. I¡¯m surprised someone like you would like it. I made it with myself.¡±


    ¡°Did you?¡± Priscilla exclaimed. ¡°Can you make one for me? All my fashion designers are so blas¨¦. They only know the fashion from our planet.¡±


    ¡°Sure I¡­¡± Flora smiled and raised her hand, but was quickly pulled aside by Aya.


    Aya put her hands on her frazzled friend¡¯s shoulders. She bent in very close to her head with a dark look. ¡°You¡¯re obviously having more look with this brat than I am, Flora. Why don¡¯t you convince her to help us? Maybe barter your design skills for her help?¡±


    ¡°I¡­I..guess I can do that. Yeah, I¡¯ll save everyone. I can do it,¡± said Flora nodding frantically.


    Aya smiled to her friend. ¡°Great. I know you can do it. You¡¯re capable of so much, Flor.¡±


    Flora smiled in return. She was overjoyed her best friend had confidence in her once again. She turned around with a sunny smile on her face. ¡°Hey Priscilla, do you want me to make your very own sundress? I could even teach you how to make one yourself.¡±


    Priscilla held her hand to her mouth and gave a chortle. ¡°Oh, Flora, you are so funny. I¡¯m the future administrator of this company. I have no room in my skillset for anything else. But if you¡¯d like to be my own fashion designer, you are free to. In fact, I insist.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I just have something really important to ask you.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead, Flora. I like you,¡± Priscilla said, her laughing mouth returning to a small smirk.


    ¡°My planetoid is in deep trouble and it really needs assistance from someone with spaceships, can you help us?¡±


    The men at the tables all began to rattle amongst themselves. ¡°And waste our resources like that? Lady Caruso, we are not a non-profit corporate entity.¡±


    ¡°Shut up, ya goons,¡± Priscilla responded with her hands on her hips. ¡°Flora has shown that they aren¡¯t just simpletons. After all, she has shown there are some cultured people on this planet, ¡®cept for this elf lady, of course. If you wish to take up a discussion about this, I¡¯ll gladly do it.¡±


    The bearded grey-haired man who spoke bowed his head in submission. ¡°Of course, Lady Caruso.¡±


    ¡°Oh thank you,¡± Flora said, holding her hands together with a gracious smile.


    ¡°No prob, Flora,¡± Priscilla responded, her eyes narrowed and her finger pointed in Aya¡¯s direction. ¡°Just please, Gin, get this ugly eyesore out of my conference room.¡±


    The pale officer who had stood silently watching the discussion proceeded over to Aya. Aya turned around. ¡°Hey, what do you mean I can¡¯t be in here. I¡­¡±


    Aya saw the burning orange gaze of the woman and felt her body seize up. She saw Gin hold onto a small weapon protruding out of a sheath on her knee. Then she heard a dire sound that would effect her for the rest of her life. At first, she thought it was a mere ringing in her head, an unforeseen headache. But the quietly mounting din came from behind. Many noises were happening at once but they were obscured. Some sounded like instruments playing atonal and displeasing melodies and other were just senseless clatter. Aya felt her limbs jerk forward on their own in disorder to the noise. She wanted to speak but her jaw was closed like it had been wired shut. She could still think freely and realized there was a dark force surrounding this woman and she was not to be trifled with. She heard Taylor behind her. ¡°I¡¯m not for conferences myself, I think I¡¯ll wait outside until you finish.¡±


    ¡°Ok, my sweet T,¡± the crushing girl responded in a sweeter voice. ¡°If that¡¯ll make you happy.¡±


    Aya managed to make her mouth twitch open. ¡°Where are you doing to me?¡±


    The woman called Gin, responded calmly. Her voice was very deep, but in a very womanly way. ¡°I¡¯m moving you along, so you don¡¯t anger the madame in waiting. Don¡¯t worry you¡¯re not in trouble.¡±


    ¡°But how are you moving me¡­¡± Aya stifled from her mouth before it was magically closed shut.


    ¡°It¡¯s a part of who I am. You don¡¯t need to worry about that either.¡±


    Gin lifted the brass door at the end of the room with a single arm causing Taylor to let out a whistle. ¡°Commandant, have you been working out lately?¡±


    Commandant Gin turned her head, letting her jagged bob get in her eyes. She gave a small reserved smile that showed how quaint Taylor¡¯s comment was to her. ¡°Flattery will get you nowhere, Lunsford. Even if I do appreciate the non-sexual compliment of my body for once.¡±


    Taylor winked at the Commandant. ¡°I know your brand, Commandant. You may think I lack nuance, but the Strapping Space Aristocrat knows there¡¯s more than one kind of woman in the universe.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s two kinds of men in it for me, Lunsford. And you¡¯re relegated to category number two, useless, loudmouthed ruffians.¡±


    ¡°Touch¨¦.¡± Taylor gave a nervous laugh as they entered the marble hallway once more.


    Gin looked at both Aya and Taylor. Gin stared into Aya¡¯s eyes and loosened her grip on the sheathed weapon. Aya felt her body release itself from the unnatural and tensed state Gin had subjected her to.


    ¡°Sorry we had to meet like this,¡± Gin said to the confused Aquan and planted a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Just stay put and I won¡¯t have to take any further action.¡±


    ¡°Ok, I get it,¡± Aya said with a pout.


    Aya was feeling a little violated but this just made her more curious about the Commandant¡¯s powers. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Gin asked with her orange eyes aglow.


    ¡°Aya. Aya Tintel.¡±


    ¡°As you¡¯ve heard, my name is Commandant Gin. I¡¯m the leader of the Yellow Jacket Police Force in the City Electric.¡±


    The Commandant reached her hand out a short distance from her body. Aya picking up what she was suggesting reached and grabbed her hand and felt the firmest, tightest handshake of her life. Aya could feel her blood momentary cut off in the grip of the Commandant¡¯s hand before she released it. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet¡­an Aquan.¡±


    Gin turned around and walked back into the conference room. As soon as she was out of reach, Taylor shook his head. ¡°Such a severe woman. But so severe it¡¯s sexy.¡±


    Aya ignored his leering. ¡°An Aquan? How did she know I was an Aquan?¡±


    ¡°Maybe your little lost planet isn¡¯t as lost as you think it is,¡± Taylor said in response. ¡°There are other folks who have heard about it or been there. It wasn¡¯t just me.¡±


    ¡°She was so confident about it though. It¡¯s so mysterious,¡± Aya said, her mouth still agape.


    ¡°That¡¯s the Commandant for you. Mystery on a pair of tall thin legs.¡±


    Aya closed her eyes. There was no point talking to Taylor about something like this, instead her mind jumped to the second most fascinating topic to her. ¡°So, Taylor. You and the madame¡¯s daughter. Are you together?¡±


    Taylor took a step back and held his hands up in defense. ¡°You got mighty presumptuous rather quickly, Miss Aquan.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not going anywhere, so just humor me,¡± Aya said with her fangs spread at the ends of her smile. ¡°I may be an Aquan, but I like to hear about romance just as much as the next girl.¡±


    ¡°Romance?¡± Taylor¡¯s adam apple shot back into his throat. ¡°Geez, you¡¯re really not going to cut me a break here.¡±


    Aya¡¯s ears perked up and her eyes shined. ¡°Is it romance? I can tell that even a strong willed brat like her goes weak at the knees when she sees you.¡±


    Taylor bit his lip and gave a sigh before telling it all. ¡°A little thing you must know about the madame¡¯s daughter. She doesn¡¯t get out at all. She¡¯s enlisted in the all-girls Electra academy like that Sasha bimbo and even then, she¡¯s very secluded since she has a lesson plan specifically tailored for her.¡±


    ¡°And?¡± Aya asked. ¡°What does this have to do with romance?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t. I¡¯m just a close family friend of the madame. And I¡¯m the only handsome boy she ever sees.¡±


    Taylor paused and clenched his fist. ¡°I don¡¯t want to shatter that fragile, little heart of hers.¡±


    Aya¡¯s eyes grew as she realized the complicated nature of Taylor¡¯s relationship. ¡°You humans are so strange. The etiquette of us Aquans is always telling people how we really feel no matter how much it hurts.¡±


    Taylor let out a deep whine. ¡°Come on, can¡¯t you ease up on me?¡±


    Aya closed her eyes and thought for a moment before opening them again. ¡°I can because this is a very tender situation. A maiden¡¯s heart is fragile even if the maiden is a bratty, little monster.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you see it my way. On the plus side, this is why I have a penthouse and the latest model of space cruiser.¡±


    Aya rolled her eyes with great intensity. ¡°Just when I was about to feel sorry for you, you show you¡¯re just as lecherous as before.¡±


    ¡°Touch¨¦,¡± Taylor said with a sheepish grin.


    The two were silent after an indefinite period of time. They weren¡¯t exactly friends, and Aya still hadn¡¯t forgotten how Taylor had wounded her back on Flora¡¯s planetoid. She had opened her heart to him with a desire to learn more about Tarabos, a planet he claimed to have ventured to, but instead he stabbed her.


    Aquans didn¡¯t only say what they felt, but they also never forgot when they were wronged. They were a very stubborn and proud race; and even though Aya had long been separated from it, Aquan blood still flowed through her entire being.


    The brass door was pushed aside and Priscilla¡¯s father stood in the doorway. ¡°Aya and Taylor, I come bearing news for both of you. The meeting has concluded.¡±


    Aya stood with anticipation on her face while Taylor maintained a relaxed face. ¡°What is it?¡± Aya asked.


    ¡°Your friend Flora has agreed to become a personal fashion designer for my pride and joy. In exchange, we¡¯re going to send out a small fleet soon in order to rescue your friends and relatives.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re not my relatives,¡± Aya said, ¡°But I appreciate Priscilla¡¯s decision.¡±


    ¡°Taylor,¡± Priscilla¡¯s father said.


    ¡°That¡¯s my name,¡± Taylor said with a grin.


    ¡°Miss Du Bois has let Priscilla know that you were set to be married her,¡± the man said, his normally friendly face now dark and harrowed. ¡°The young madame doesn¡¯t want to see you ever again. Please don¡¯t show your face in Electra Towers again.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Taylor said, his grin still there but clearly it no longer belonged on his face.


    ¡°Also be prepared to turn in your apartment and spaceship by the end of the month. They no longer belong to you.¡±


    Taylor¡¯s hands dropped and now he stood with his mouth agape. Aya almost felt concerned because he didn¡¯t speak afterwards. She was too happy that her best friend had succeeded in saving the humans on her planetoid to pry any further. All her people were going to be saved.

 Two Thiefs

    Aya awoke in Taylor¡¯s penthouse with a newfound feeling of optimism. Last night, Flora informed her and Taylor of how successful the meeting was. Flora explained that the men and women of her planetoid would soon be without food and Priscilla lent a sympathetic ear. Though even innocent Flora could tell Priscilla was most excited about the new fashion trends she¡¯d be setting, the young madame-in-waiting ardently defended Flora from the much older board members. Priscilla even remarked how they were looking for new employees to hire at the Electra Company, and this silenced all detractors.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this great, Eterna?¡± Aya said, holding her tattoo in front of her face.


    ¡°You have landed yourself in a most favorable outcome, my child. Not only have you found blessed relief for your friends, but it seems your biggest foe is vanquished.¡±


    ¡°There is still Priscilla,¡± Aya said, and a cocky smile stretched across her face. ¡°But she seems more obsessed with boys and fashion. I could take her on my hands tied.¡±


    ¡°Be wary, sometimes parents instill the same instincts in their pups,¡± said the wolfhound marking on her skin. ¡°But I feel you have nothing to worry about. With Flora on your side, she will be swayed. Perhaps she will even give up hunting the thunderboar.¡±


    Aya lifted herself out of bed, continuing to talk quietly. ¡°One can only hope. I¡¯ll work on that once everyone¡¯s been safely relocated. I¡­¡±


    Aya heard a squishing sound, and to her ears, it sounds like wet, webbed toes pressing against the firm ground. The presence felt non-humanoid to her. Aya grabbed her spirit-wood staff laying by the bedside and positioned for attack. The squishing sound became louder and louder until she felt something cold, slimy and rubbery grab her exposed leg from behind. She let out a scream and kicked her leg up in the air, spinning around to see a small, two-legged, two-armed creature the size of her lower leg, fly past her with a loud squeak. Aya quickly reached out her hands and grabbed it by the three long antennas that grew out of its head. They had little yellow spheres at the end of them and resembled the hat of an Aquan court jester. It gazed at her with deep, dark black and shiny eyes. Aya could feel her heart melt at the sight of it. She began to cuddle it in her arms, which to her surprise, it reciprocated by nuzzling against her bosom.


    ¡°I¡­ see you met Paul.¡±


    Aya turned her head to see Taylor watching with his head resting on his hands on the top of the small platform. He lifted his head off his arms as soon as he caught her gaze.


    Aya¡¯s face turned bright red, and she rubbed her legs together. Her voice gushed in a way she rarely showed. ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me you had such an adorable Oceanita Monkey. I haven¡¯t seen one since I left¡­¡±


    ¡°Tarabos?¡± Taylor said with a wink. ¡°That¡¯s where my dad and I found him. We caught him in the Great Oceanita as you Aquans call it.¡±


    ¡°Normally I¡¯d frown upon you holding one in captivity¡±¡ªAya began to play with the creature¡¯s rounded cheeks and was met with a lack of amusement¡ª"But you saved him. He might be the last of his kind, and I really appreciate that you¡¯ve been taking care of him in this huge tank.¡±


    ¡°See, I¡¯m not all bad,¡± Taylor responded, resting his head on his arms with a grin.


    ¡°Maybe not,¡± Aya responded as the creature began to nibble on her finger and chitter.


    ¡°And I know you probably just use him as a cute pet to woo girls,¡± she said with a sly, all-knowing voice.


    ¡°Damn,¡± Taylor said swishing his hand across the table with a she-got-me motion.


    ¡°It¡¯ll take more than a cute pet to make me forgive you for what you did,¡± Aya said with one hand on her hip and the other cradling the critter. ¡°Aquans don¡¯t let go of wrongs easily. And I¡¯m a proud Aquan.¡±


    ¡°Is that your mantra?¡± Taylor responded snidely. ¡°Maybe I should adopt it after what sunflower did to me.¡±


    Aya set the creature down. She frowned at Taylor. ¡°I wish I could have more sympathy for you. It probably wasn¡¯t right for Flora to expose you that way; but then again, you tried to pick her up and she didn¡¯t want that.¡±


    Taylor sighed. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right there, Miss Aquan. I brought that one on myself.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised,¡± Aya responded. ¡°Is this a moment of clarity for you?¡±


    Taylor closed his eyes and flung his hair back. ¡°Girls, their charms are hard to resist for me. I mean can you blame me with how fine they look? See even Paul can¡¯t get enough.¡±


    Aya looked down and saw the Oceanita Monkey had latched onto her leg and was licking her tanned skin. ¡°He¡¯s probably just hungry,¡± she responded with a roll of her eyes. ¡°And I¡¯m hungry myself.¡±


    She slipped on a bed cloak and headed outside to grab a large blue and white food cooler. It had been removed from the Blue Thunder and was full of soul fruits, the local delicacy from Aya and Flora¡¯s planetoid. A hint of drool appeared on Aya¡¯s lips and she brandished her fangs. She slid the cooler¡¯s top off to reveal a host of blue and white tear shaped fruits, freshly preserved and growing from the hydroponic properties of the cooler. She held one in her hand and closed her eyes, preparing to savor the sweet juices pouring down her throat when she sunk her teeth in; but when she opened her eyes, she found the fruit missing from her hands. ¡°Taylor?¡±


    Taylor held up his hands. ¡°Wasn¡¯t me. I think Paul was curious about what you had. He is a monkey after all.¡±


    Aya watched as Paul through squeaking and chittering bit into the food with his own fangs. He chewed it for a little bit, having never tasted a soul fruit before, but once he learned of its sweet and enriching qualities he let out a happy cry and buried his face into the fruit. Watching him get the blue and white seeds all over his face, Aya held her hands to her chest and let out a small sigh over the overwhelming cuteness. ¡°I guess I can let him get away with it.¡±


    Aya grabbed another fruit and Taylor gave a plea. ¡°Hey how about you toss one my way?¡±


    Aya reluctantly grabbed another one and hurled it at Taylor¡¯s face with full force. It splattered onto his face. He frowned, his face dripping with blue juices, and Aya tried to stifle a few giggles. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to do that¡±¡ªTaylor placed his hands on his hips and scowled at her¡ª¡°Seriously, I wouldn¡¯t waste such delicious morsels like that.¡±


    Aya burst into laughter. Taylor looked like an angry soul fruit crossed with an interpretive dancer with his face entirely blue and speckled with white seeds. Taylor tried to play it cool with his new face paint. ¡°So, are we going to sit around all day playing with food?¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Aya¡¯s ears perked up. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to encourage jealousy but don¡¯t you think sunflower is going to hog all the glory?¡±


    Aya took a pause to ponder what Taylor had said. It was true that Flora had not only flown them there, but she was the one persuading Priscilla to help them. Aya¡¯s smile changed to one of puzzlement. For a so-called hero, she sure wasn¡¯t doing anything heroic.


    ¡°Maybe we can have a little fun? I can show you some of the local flavor,¡± Taylor said with a wave of his thick eyebrows.


    ¡°Whatever you say, fruit face. I¡¯d be down to see this world up close.¡±


    Eterna cut in. ¡°Maybe you can also see where your people will work?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, where will the people of my planetoid work?¡± Aya asked.


    Taylor spoke in an honest and thoughtful tone in response. ¡°If you let me get cleaned up, I can show the working space for the average people. It¡¯s down on the street of my penthouse.¡±


    Aya picked up a pillow from the couch and hurled it at Taylor¡¯s face. ¡°My lace pillows,¡± he said as the blue from his face wiped off on the pillow.


    The two dressed in warm clothes. Aya in the dark coat she wore yesterday and Taylor in his spacesuit¡ªwhich had now become his standard attire, having not been allowed to change out of it except for bathroom breaks. They headed down the elevator after putting Paul back in his tank.


    The bottom floor of Taylor¡¯s penthouse was a caf¨¦. It was rife with a thick strong smell of coffee and electrolyte beverages guaranteed to wake anyone up who poured them down their throats. There were small high-rise tables with tenants of the building perched on them, enjoying their breakfast and morning coffee. Some waved at Taylor who gave a sad smile realizing he¡¯d no longer be neighbors with such upper-class company.


    Exiting out onto the cold, windy streets, the sun beamed down on the glistening, freshly fallen snow. As the winter breeze blew cold against Aya¡¯s nose, she could feel the mucus gather inside. Winters were short on her planetoid, but she loathed them immensely. A planetoid with an indefinite winter period was something she hated far worse. She knew it was her warm, tropical Aquan blood that bred these feelings of disdain, but she didn¡¯t blame it. She chose to hate icy hell she was stuck in.


    She gripped her staff with shaking hands, still carrying it because she was still unsure of this world. Male patrons dressed in white suits and women in icy blue business dresses, dark leggings and heels, paraded around, trying to spite the cold with their fashion and icy veneers. There were no animals or foliage to be seen in either direction, just gleaming steel towers and little food carts manned by men bundled up in heavy coats.


    ¡°I live in the business district, Miss Aquan.¡± Taylor said, holding his hand out. ¡°Most people who work for Electra use these office buildings.¡±


    Aya turned around and peered in the dark glass windows on the side of the street. She observed the ground floor of one of the office building and saw many people confined in a jungle of panels. Each panel separated a person at a desk. They typed on what looked like bigger versions of Taylor¡¯s tablet. Each had a look of mundanity on their face.


    ¡°They look so bored,¡± Aya said.


    ¡°Welcome to work,¡± Taylor responded back.


    Aya reminisced about the orchids of soul fruit trees back home and the fun she had guarding farmers from ravenous wolfhounds. She thought of the village children playing hide and seek with her. Her village¡¯s idea of work had fun and excitement interlaced at every turn. She pictured the rowdy farm folks. She saw Allons with his straw hat and gap teeth, now confined to a business suit. She couldn¡¯t help but smile at that image while feeling he¡¯d be completely out of place.


    ¡°I doubt the villagers will like this that much,¡± Aya said at last.


    ¡°At least it¡¯ll support them,¡± Taylor said.


    ¡°How does typing at a square in a bigger bunch of squares support them?¡±


    ¡°You are so na?ve.¡± Taylor responded causing Aya to frown. ¡°But nativity is an asset when you¡¯re hot.¡±


    ¡°Ok enough with the flirting. How does it support them?¡±


    ¡°It gets them points on these little indicators we have,¡±¡ªTaylor pointed to a little black device hanging off his suit¡ª"Points are traded for living expenses and nice beautiful decadences-food, drinks and fun.¡±


    ¡°You pay for food and drinks?¡± Aya asked.


    ¡°I forgot you guys all just pool your resources together and hand it out to people. If you all get the same, where¡¯s the fun in that?¡±


    ¡°What it takes to live is good enough for us. Well, except Mr. Du Bois with his mansion, but since his ancestors founded the village we give him the benefit of the doubt.¡±


    Taylor put his arm around Aya and held his hand parallel to the sky. ¡°Welcome to the world of luxury, Aya. When your friends are all typing at little screens, they¡¯ll all be able to live like Du Bois.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that is kind of nice!¡± Aya said with sudden realization. ¡°They also won¡¯t have to worry about danger that comes from being around wolfhounds. The wolfhounds will be safer too.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Taylor said with a large grin. ¡°Trust me, your redneck friends will be quite happy here.¡±


    ¡°Hey get back here!¡± A loud commanding voice screamed as a large hubbub clamored behind them.


    Aya turned around to see two men, dressed in clothes much different from the business people dashing towards them. They wore dark grey heavy coats and beige square hats. One of them wore a pinstriped vest underneath his coat. He sported messy blond hair and bright blue eyes that shone with a determination as he ran. The other man had cropped and slicked dark hair, and a long scar on the side of his face. His eyes were darker and he looked about ten years older than the first man.


    The older man slammed into Aya causing her to stumble and fall onto the snow. ¡°Hey!¡± she screamed leaping to her feet with precision.


    Aya was not a person to be crossed, and she chased after the men slipping and sliding. ¡°Why¡¯d you attack me?¡± she hollered at them.


    ¡°Nothing personal toots,¡± said the dark-haired man in a raspy voice. ¡°You¡¯re just taking up getaway space.¡±


    Aya focused her soul energy into her staff. It was made entirely of wood from an Atma tree. The wood began to shimmer with a silver sheen. With a yell, Aya fired a glowing white beam into both of the men¡¯s hearts.


    Slowly, both of the men came to a stop. ¡°Whoa, what did you do to me?¡± the dark-haired man said in a relaxed voice. ¡°Suddenly, I feel light and airy. Not a care in the world and¡­¡±


    Aya decked both of the men in the face, and they slid, spiraling across the ground. ¡°A little bit subdued?¡±


    Taylor ran up to her accompanied by men in Yellow Jacket uniforms. One of the Yellow Jackets smiled proudly and even though she couldn¡¯t see his eyes underneath his shades, Aya could tell he was pleased with her. ¡°What did you do to stop these men?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I just used the wood from my spirit wood staff to soothe their souls. It relaxes their bodies and allows them to feel bliss.¡±


    The Yellow Jacket clapped. ¡°That¡¯s an amazing power. What we wouldn¡¯t give for something that peacefully stops criminals.¡±


    Aya placed her hands on her hips and gloated. ¡°I live to ease conflicts between humans and animals, even when those animals are other humans.¡±


    ¡°Like I said,¡± the Yellow Jacket in his deep voice responded. ¡°With your powers and your attitude, we¡¯d certainly have less people trying to run point scams.¡±


    The Yellow Jackets proceeded to place a metal bar between the arms of the subdued criminals. The bar emitted green electricity around their arms, creating a cuff made of electricity. The dark haired man with the scar pointed at Aya with a whining voice. ¡°I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re after us, copper. It¡¯s this dagger eared broad who has the stolen points on her indicator.¡±


    The Yellow Jacket who had commended Aya walked over to her and found an indicator hooked into her dark coat. ¡°Elven woman? I think you¡¯ll have to come with us for questioning. You¡¯re a suspect now.¡±


    ¡°Darko,¡± the blond-haired man intoned in a boyish voice. ¡°I thought we were running a clean point scam and not involving anyone else.¡±


    Darko gave a smirk even sleazier than Taylor. ¡°Spark, my boy, there¡¯s no such thing as a clean point scheme.¡±


    Aya started to run, but the Yellow Jacket pulled a small dark weapon from his belt. A wire shot from it, attaching to Aya¡¯s backside. He pressed a button and electricity coursed through it, causing Aya to flail violently and fall to the ground. She bit into her lower lip and blood soaked through it. She looked up in fear as the Yellow Jacket put electro cuffs around her arms.


    Taylor stood off to the side staring at her. Aya looked at him, but he returned a cold glance. She realized he couldn¡¯t care less about her. He was free to return to his life of decadence without Aya to keep him in check. But that was the least of her problems, now that she had been entangled in a not-so-clean point scam.