March 14, 3009
The Silver Expeditioners continue to make their way forward until the ground beneath them shakes tremendously.
Salv: Even with Alisah's tornadoes, these harsh conditions make things extremely difficult for us.
Silva: Yeah, I am barely holding on. Isra how are ya doin' buddy?
Isra: Not so good. I might hurl.
Alisah: Swallow your pride for a moment and please accept my assistance!
Isra: I'm all set.
Silva: Well, ya asked for it then.
Alisah: I suppose we have to wait until the tremors subside.
After about 20 minutes, the earthquakes calm down.
Silva: Seems like it's finally over.
Salv: Indeed.
Alisah: Seems like we can finally-
Familiar Voice: (Yells) So you did lie to me.
The Silver Expeditioners turn around to see none other than Edmundo Raynn, approaching them at a fast speed with the help of his rain powers. He inches close to grab Alisah. Silva intercepts the exchange.
Silva: Yeah, well you seem like the stalker type.
Salv cracks his knuckles.
Salv: If you intend harm to the princess then I will have no choice but to fight you.
Raynn: I ain't lettin' you brats get in the way of my duties. This doesn't concern ya, so scram while ya still can.
Silva cracks his knuckles.
Silva: You're all talk Raynn. We outsmarted ya once before and beat your ass.
Raynn: You two and the dog got lucky-
Isra suddenly closes the distance between him and Raynn. He kicks Raynn back a bit.
Raynn: Who in the hell are you?
Isra: Doesn't concern you either.
Raynn: Oh great, another edgy kid to deal with. Alisah, just come with me. Don't make this difficult.
Alisah: I'm not going, Raynn. You've chased me long enough.
Alisah brings out her flute and summons 5 wind spirits. She plays an aggressive tune. The spirits create gusts of wind towards Raynn's direction. After the dust clears, Salv lunges toward Raynn.
Raynn: Damnit, this is such a pain in the ass.
Salv's body becomes fully coated in metal as he is running.
Salv: METALLICA MAN!
Nimbostratus clouds surround the previously clear sky. Rain pours down on them. Raynn dodges Salv's attack and heads toward Alisah.
Salv: Darn, my body is rusty. I cannot move much I'm afraid.
Isra uses his super speed to approach Raynn, but slips on the now aquatic battlefield. Raynn punches Isra to the ground. Oro attempts to run but ends up immobilized.
Silva: Get away from her!
Silva's body heats up and punches Raynn, but he barely flinches. Raynn uppercuts Silva, which knocks him down.
Silva slowly gets up until Raynn kicks him down.
Raynn: Stay down if ya know what's good for ya, Silva.
Silva: I am not done with you yet.
Raynn: (Points to Isra, Salv, and Oro) Look at your pals over there, they can barely move because of me. I don't wanna hurt y'all further, especially cause ya patched me up earlier. I just need the girl.
Silva gets up once more.
Silva: I ain't budging.
Raynn hits Silva once again.
Alisah: I am not coming with you. I am staying with these guys.
Raynn: What makes you think they can protect you? I just wiped the floor with them in one fell swoop. Imagine what would happen if someone stronger-
Alisah: I believe in them.
Raynn: It's in your best interest to come with me and leave them out of it.
Alisah: Best Interest? A fraud like you is in no position to decide what is best for me!
Raynn: The elder chief wants you back.
Alisah: What? So you can cash in on a bounty?
Raynn: What? No!
Alisah: Then what is it that you cannot tell me as to why you have made my year and a half away from the islands a nightmare?! Is my family in danger?
Raynn: No but I can explain more once we return home.
Alisah: If that is the case, I do not need to hear you out any further. I am on my own journey now. You must respect my decision and leave me alone!
Raynn: Alisah you always make things difficult for yourself…
Silva gets up for a final time. He is fuming. He signals for Alisah to run before he heats up the flooded ground for steam to unleash.
Raynn: This isn't like the cave, Silva. This steam won't last long.
Silva: I just need enough time.
Alisah takes out her flute and plays a quick melody. The 5 spirits from before send gusts of wind in the sky to separate the nimbostratus clouds away. This leaves openings for Salv to turn off his power and dry himself off. Isra and Oro get back up on their feet. Isra hops on dry spots of land with his super speed and hits Raynn with multiple blows to his chest. Oro gets up and barks at Raynn until he musters up the courage to bite his leg for a second before running away.
Salv: (Sighs) Why do you still not call out your attacks as an honorable fighter.
Salv hardens his body with a new coat of metal.
Salv: METALLICA MAN: JACK HAMMER JUMP!
Due to Isra's unrelenting attacks, Raynn couldn't dodge Salv's Jack Hammer Jump. Salv grabs a hold of Raynn for a split second before he could slip away. Silva runs up to Raynn in time for Salv to let go of him. Steam releases from Silva's body. Silva closes his fists together and slams Raynn on the neck.
Silva: STEAM SURGE!
Raynn falls down.
Silva: You're finished.
Alisah: Thanks you guys for helping me.
Oro: (Yips).
Silva: It was nothin'.
Salv: (Grins) All in a day's work. I am glad you are safe, princess.
Alisah: Please, Salv. Enough with the formalities. I am no longer of royal responsibility.
Salv: Fair enough milady.
Alisah: (Laughs) You cannot help yourself can you?
Isra: So what do we do about Raynn?
Silva: Raynn. Stop pursuing-
Raynn: I will.
Alisah: What? Really?
Raynn: As long as you can promise me something, young man.
Silva: What is it?
Raynn: (Cries as much as his injuries allow) Please keep Alisah safe at all costs.
Silva: Huh? I thought-
Raynn: As long as you can promise to protect her against any threat. I will leave y'all alone. Her safety is most important.
Alisah: Why do you care about me so much? You abandoned me all those years ago! Left me to rot on that stuffy island!
Raynn slightly gets up enough to sit down by a nearby rock. He pulls out a flask from his coat.
Raynn: (Shakes his head) I wish I could explain more. That island is where your family is, Alisah. I have no right to whisk you away to sea, away from them. However, I realize that your adventurous side never left ya, even in adulthood. So, since these guys proved themselves willing to be there for you while you explore the world. I'll be damned if I stop you from achieving your dreams.
Alisah: What about the elder chief?
Raynn: I'll wait until some time has passed to report that I lost sight of ya.
Alisah: Thank you, Raynn.
The Silver Expeditioners get ready to head off to the Top Master's summer home once more.
Raynn: One last thing. If these guys ever fail to protect you, I will return to take you back home.
Silva extends his hand out to Raynn.
Silva: She's a Silver Expeditioner. My team has each other's backs.
Raynn: (Grins) Well said kid.
Raynn and Silva shake hands. 5 minutes later, the Silver Expeditioners leave one last med kit as a parting gift for their previous foe.