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Post by Entegy on Jun 23, 2005 20:32:15 GMT -5
Hopefully, you won't have to wait another half year before the next chapter.
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Post by BorderWolf on Jun 23, 2005 20:34:08 GMT -5
I hope so to.
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Post by Candyapple on Jun 24, 2005 17:43:16 GMT -5
good. lol.
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Post by moko on Jul 1, 2005 16:44:59 GMT -5
eh, i didn't really like the whole dog killing thing, but it's pretty good otherwise.
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Post by Balto on Jul 11, 2005 11:46:59 GMT -5
eh, i didn't really like the whole dog killing thing, but it's pretty good otherwise. I LOVED the part with the dog! >.> |
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Post by moko on Jul 11, 2005 15:09:38 GMT -5
are you trying to make me not like you?
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Post by Balto on Jul 11, 2005 15:15:46 GMT -5
are you trying to make me not like you? Uhmm... I'm just saying that I think your opposite. >_< |
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Post by moko on Jul 11, 2005 17:03:19 GMT -5
what?
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Post by Entegy on Jul 12, 2005 20:28:44 GMT -5
Chapter 6: A New Journey
The Frisbee Tournament went pretty smoothly, though no one was conformtable with the tent. The tent proved the be vacant of Nick and his cronies. Since Kirby was not competing, Jack acted as a judge for the Tournment. That way, he kept an eye on the tent. The day and even the night went uneventful.
A few days later, Jack recived a letter from Takakura. He said that if he was ready, Van would bring him to the valley in 2 days, which was a Wednesday. Jack decided to go. The pineapples were not going to give fruit until the end of the season anyway, so all there was left to do was take care of the animals. Jack talked to the Harvest Sprites.
"So, budum, you're going on a trip?" Bold asked.
"We'll take good care of the farm while you're gone. Watering and taking care of the animals." Aqua said.
"Thank you." Jack replied. "I'm counting on you."
"You gave us so much flour, we need to repay the favour." Chef said, taking a whiff.
Jack returned home and got ready. He would bring all his tools, some food and Pons. He didn't want to walk all the way to the valley, like Van did and he heard the valley had wide open spaces; perfect for Pons to race through. Walking. It was a wonder Van did so much walking, yet he didn't lose weight unless he ran into walls.
Wednesday rolled around and Van showed up at his door at 5AM. He said it would take an hour and a half to get to the valley. Jack said goodbye to Ann and the Sprites and went through the Forest and off Mother's Hill. As Van walked and Jack and Pons trotted alongside, Jack couldn't shake the feeling someone was watching them.
"So, willing to solve this problem quickly?" Van asked.
"Yeah. I want these guys outta here. They're causing problems to the people all for a patch of land. It's crazy." Jack was getting mad talking.
Van noticed this "Well, you'll find Forget-Me-Not Valley will soothe any anger, regardless how strong. Just look ahead."
The path had been sloping down, but Jack had not noticed. They had reached Forget-Me-Not Valley. Jack's jaw dropped. It was the most beautiful place he'd ever seen. How could there be problems here?
"Can I go on ahead?"
"Sure Jack. Here take this map. To get to the Valley Farm, take the second right after the bridge."
"Thanks Van."
Jack urged Pons foward. Pons picked up speed and raced across the valley. He passed a small farm, but it wasn't across the bridge. When he did cross the bridge, he saw a bigger farm. As he entered, he saw Takakura waiting at a building which Jack presumed to be his house.
"Welcome Jack." Tak said. "I can't thank you enough for coming. We could really use your help. Let me show you around."
"Sure."
As Tak turned, Jack noticed a black tatoo on Tak's arm. It freaked him a little, but soon forgot about it when he heard a girl's voice from somewhere."
"Hey, Takakura! Can you bring me some more shingles?"
"Oh," Tak sighed. "I told her I was going to fix that later."
Tak pointed up above a tool shed. On top, a girl was on the roof looking down.
"Oh, a visitor!" The girl jumped off the roof.
"Hey! What the?" Jack was startled at the sudden movement. "Nice jump. You startled me."
"Thanks." she said. "You must be Jack. Tak's told me about you. I really appreciate it for coming out here to help us."
"Well, if I'm having the same problems, maybe I could help."
"Well, thanks. I'm Jill. Nice to meet you." They shook hands. "Here, let me give you a little tour of my farm."
Jill's farm was a lot different than Jack's. Three seperate fields for planting, a smaller house, special rooms for holding produce and apparently, it never snowed enough in the valley to bury the grass, so her livestock could stay outside year-round. After that, Jack took a ride around the valley and introduced himself to the residents. After a while, he decided to try some fishing. He returned to the bridge over the river and pulled out his Fishing Rod. He started charging it, but when he reached Mythic levels, he heard a scream "FIRE!" and was pushed into the river. Jack surfaced spluttering and looked who had pushed him in. It was Jill. She looked scared. Jack was going to explain before he realized he'd droppes his Rod when he fell him. So, he had to go swimming downstream to fetch it. Just before he was carried out into the ocean, Jill helped him out.
"I'm sorry!" she wailed. "You were on fire! How did you catch on fire?"
Jack laughed and explained his Mythic Tools to her. As he explained, her face fell.
"I wish I had tools like that." she said. "Then I could work better."
"What, for the size of your farm, your tools can't be that bad, right?"
"Wanna bet?"
She took him to the tool shed and handed him her Hoe.
CLUNK!
Jack nearly fell over with the weight of them.
"Sheesh, why are your tools so heavy?" he asked her.
"They used to belong to Takakura." she said. "They tire me quickly, but I have no choice. I could order lighter ones, but my produce keeps getting stolen and my crops damaged..." she looked like she was about to cry. "I'm nearly broke trying to run this place. I took over after my dad died. I thought I could do it, but now I'm not so sure... I've only been here since Spring and I'm already screwing up."
Jack would've asked more questions, but she looked so upset, he dropped the subject.
"Um, Jack, can you do me a favour?"
"Sure. What?"
"Can you bring this package up to the mansion? I need to speak to Takakaura, but I promised to deliver this to Lumina. Tell the butler I sent you and he should let you in."
"Ok."
"Odd." thought Jack. "I thought Takakura went to the bar."
Jack took the package, mounted Pons and left for the mansion. It wasn't that far; the valley was small, yet Jack also felt small is he approched the huge house. The mansion was bulit on the highest point in Forget-Me-Not Valley. Jack knocked on the door and an old man answered the door. Jack told him what he was there for and he showed Jack to Lumina's room.
Lumina was probably a little younger than Jill. He introduced himself, delivered his package and asked Lumina if she knew anything about the farm's problem.
"Oh, that?" Lumina asked. "Poor Jill. I don't know why anybody would want to destroy a farm. It's not like it's the biggest money-making market. But problems started a few days after Jill arrived. And not just at the farm. Other places in the valley were targeted. Take Cody's trailer. Someone broke in and destroyed all his art. Or Carter's dig. His site nearly caved in. People are beginning to think Jill's causing all the trouble, but I don't think so. After only being here one season, she's already close to a breakdown. I saw her once make an excuse to send Takakura off the farm and then cry for an hour. I bet anything that she's doing that right now." Lumina paused, then went on. "I'm really glad someone came to help. She really wants to complete her father's dream. Some villagers may not like her, but I want you to know me and Grandma Romana are behind you 100% Solve this quickly so the villagers can see her true personality."
Jack left mansion, but not before being conered by Lumina's grandma's invitation to dinner. He refused politely. As he walked, Pons followed behind him. So, trouble started a few days after Jill arrived in the Spring. That would match the same time trouble started for him. Before he could think anymore, his hungry stomach interrputed him. He hadn't eaten since before he left Mineral Town. He returned to Jill's farm.
Jill looked like she had been crying, but didn't give any sign that she had been. When Jack asked her if there was any good food around, she replied "I'm actually not that bad of a cook."
During dinner, which consisted of Jack, Jill and Takakura, Jack asked some questions about the vandlism.
"Well," Tak said. "it's not just our farm that's been vandalized. Carter's dig and Cody's trailer have also been damaged."
Jill added "And just last night, the Twins' Tower was set fire to. If Patrick and Kassey wern't pyrotechnicans, they would have been killed and with all the fireworks in there, the entire valley could've gone up in flames."
The thought of death ended the conversation. As dinner ended, Jack realized he didn't know where he'd be sleeping. When he mentioned this Jill smiled.
"While you were at the mansion, I made arrangements with Tim and Ruby at the Inn for you to have a room. It's right across from the farm. Pons can stay in my barn for the night." Jack agreed.
He was a little tired, so he headed right to the Inn after dinner. He met Tim and Ruby and their son Rock. When he asked how much it was to stay, they replied it was free, as long as he was here to help. Jack thanked them. He headed up to his room. Tomorrow, he would talk to some of the targeted villagers, especially the pyrotechnicans.
Despite how tired he was, Jack couldn't sleep. He checked his watch: 1AM. He went on to the balcony. The moon brightly shone through the cloudless sky as the cool breeze of the valley. He would never admit this, but after one day, he could say that the valley's summers were nicer than Mineral Town's.
Lost in thought, it took him a while to notice bouncing beams of light at Jill's farm.
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Post by moko on Jul 12, 2005 21:04:41 GMT -5
nice chapter! ;D
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Post by Entegy on Jul 16, 2005 20:32:58 GMT -5
Chapter 7: Keep your friends close...
Darkness. How he hated how easily it was to move unnoticed through the shadows. This meant that the intruders could do the same. Jack could have teleported to the farm, but it would announced his presence. He moved silently behind Takakaura's house. As a kid, he always snuck out of his house at night, so he knew just how careful he had to be not to wake up Takakaura or alert the intruders.
As he stared, he saw the familiar shape of Pete, the bumbling body-builder that had attack Jack at the beginning of Spring. He had a companion again, but it was a different person than the unknown intruder that was Pete's last companion. It was the long-haired man from the original group Jack had met. He suddenly realized they were whispering.
"Are you sure you saw him come here?" Pete was saying. "It seems a long way to leave his house unattended."
"The boss no longer sees the point of attacking that farm since we have both of them here." the long-haired man had spoken, for the first time to Jack's ears. His voice was slow and oily. "Besides, our main target has always been here. Attacking the Mineral Town farm was just a cover up, though it was highly amusing. But since both are here, we have to get rid of one."
"I don't think he stayed on the farm." Pete replied.
"No, he didn't. But, we're not attacking him this time. Instead of giving him a bump on his head, we're gonna make some noise tonight."
"But I thought we were supposed to stay quiet." Pete said, thoroughly confused.
It was clear to Jack from the moment he had met him, that if Pete's strength could be measured in numbers, stick a negative sign on it, and it would equal Pete's IQ.
"You were never the brains. No, we're going to give them a warning they won't forget. Now, grab the fireworks and get ready to put on a show. Follow me."
Pete grabbed a box at his feet and followed the long-haired man to the barn. Jack frowned. He snuck behind the Food Storage Room and to a window in Jill's house. He could see her sleeping. Jack rapped on the window until she woke up. She opened the window, looking embarrassed and angry.
"Jack, what the hell are you doing?" she demanded.
"Get dressed and come outside. Just do it!" he commanded, just as she opened her mouth to respond.
Jill was outside in less than a minute, but was not happy.
"What's this all about?"
"No time to explain. Come with me." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the barn door.
"What are you doing? If this is your idea of a joke, it's definitely not funny!"
Jack ignored her and pulled out his hammer and began charging it.
"Um, Jack?" Jill asked rather meekly. "The barn door isn't locked."
"Exactly, when I say, kick open the door and jump out of the way."
"Wh..?
"Just do it!"
Jill hesitated, and was a little afraid of Jack at the moment, which was why she obeyed.
"Ready? Now!"
Jill kicked open the door and jumped in and out of the way. Just as Jack hoped, there was Pete and the long-haired man, in the middle of the barn, both with lighters, standing over a large box of fireworks. The surprise gave time to Jack to unleash the Mythic shock wave of his hammer down the middle of the barn. This sent the two intruders flying. Jill's mouth was open in understanding. Then, as quickly as they were knocked down, the would-be pyros were on their feet and running to the barn's back door. Jill ran into the her tool shed and came back with, much to Jack's surprise, a bow and a quiver filled with arrows. She expertly strung and shot five arrows at the long-haired man, pinning him to the barn's wall. One went into his leg. Pete slowed down to help his companion, but he yelled "Run, you fool!" and Pete obeyed. Jill ran after him. Jack went to "talk" with the long-haired man, his hammer at the ready. The man had pulled one arm free and was struggling with a small bottle.
"Alright, tell me now what you're doing here." Jack said menacingly, raising his hammer.
"You're too late!" the man said evilly. "You think I will talk so easily! Well, by the time you get anything out of me, Pete will have notified the boss and everything will be changed. Goodbye!" And with that, he took a swig of whatever was in the bottle just as Jack heard Jill scream from outside. As he raced outside, Jack heard the long-haired man laughing crazily as he lost consciousness.
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Post by Butterscotch on Jul 17, 2005 16:02:41 GMT -5
Very good! I liked that line about the guy's strenghth and IQ.  |
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Post by Entegy on Jul 17, 2005 16:05:43 GMT -5
Thanks!
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Post by Butterscotch on Aug 6, 2005 7:29:04 GMT -5
More? *puppy dog eyes*
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Post by Entegy on Aug 6, 2005 11:52:16 GMT -5
Not today, maybe tomorrow.
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