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| The Forgotten |
| Episode Twenty |
| The sun rose over the mountains in the west, heralding the dawn of a new day. The sunlight fell on the volcano near Axem Over Flame�s residence. He, like most mornings, was up early; he liked to get an early start on burning/melting things. NOTE: This episode will appear somewhat �weird�. It will make more sense once the next few episodes are posted. Axem Inferno was walking over to Over Flame. He arrived, and glanced up at the mostly completed house that they would live in, although it was more of a mansion than a house. It was built of solely heat resistant materials. AXEM INFERNO: The builders said that they only need about another 24 work hours to complete the house. AXEM OVER FLAME: So they�ll be done in a few days? AXEM INFERNO: No, don�t you remember? Each day has 52 hours, 30 of them being daylight. AXEM OVER FLAME: Oops, sorry. I forgot about Pyrodorian time. AXEM INFERNO: Let�s go inspect the guard. AXEM OVER FLAME: Okay! I like doing that! It�s one of the non-boring things we can do here� AXEM INFERNO: Going through the Arch to unexplored worlds should be fun� AXEM OVER FLAME: But I wanna do it now! Over Flame and Inferno walked away from the smoldering rocks and trees. As they walked, the volcano started leaking some lava. Another one over the horizon erupted, but all they noticed was a large boom. In fact, the barely noticed it, after they got used to it. After a few minutes, they arrived at some ruins. They appeared to have been recently restored. The Arch was in the center of the ruins. Some very interesting things surrounded the Arch. Inferno and Over Flame didn�t really notice most of it though, Inferno because he was used to it by now and Over Flame because he didn�t understand any of it. One of the things around the ruins was some six-wheeled machines with cameras and other types of equipment on them. They had the letters ROSEV painted of the side. ROSEV stood for Robotic Observing, Surveillance, and Environmental Vehicle. These were probes to send through the Arch before any living person went through. That way, it could see if the inhabitants were hostile, if they even existed, and if the air was breathable, etc. These were built so that Inferno and Over Flame could explore other worlds safely. Another of the things that was added to the Arch was some large, circular metallic objects on the edge of the Archway. There was also some green, glowing tubes attached to the objects. These were a type of Aquadorian technology. Although it required a significant amount of energy to run them, it made it so that the Arch would only open if there was an active gate at the dialed address. Also, at the console for dialing, there was an �Earth-like� computer. This contained all the addresses that were known from the Aquadorians. It also contained a short description of each planet, as long as there was something known about it. There were some Kidels set up around the Arch, all facing it. There were also some other types of weapons, none of them from Earth. The Arch was guarded very well. A last feature to guard it was a last resort self-destruct sequence on the Arch. NOTE: �Kidel� is from Episode 12. Inferno started inspecting some of the equipment, while Over Flame watched some soldiers (all Toads, and one Jr. Koopa as the commander) training. AXEM OVER FLAME: Inferno! Get over here! Inferno looked up absentmindedly and looked startled when he realized what he was doing. AXEM INFERNO: Huh? Oh, yes. I was just looking at these writings� AXEM OVER FLAME: Let�s inspect the troops! Inferno joined Over Flame and they watched the training exercise. The troops were to guard the Arch from invasion, to man the defenses, and to make use of Pyrodor�s resources, which is mainly highly prized igneous rock. After a few minutes of watching the troops, the fiery-tempered Over Flame decided to take command. He and Inferno exercised the troops, getting them into shape and able to efficiently use military. The troops sweated heavily, because of both the effort and the temperature. They did this for a few hours, then broke for lunch and a break. They got back to it after a short rest. As it was approaching late evening, the troops broke for a short nap. Since the day was so long, only the Axems could easily stay up for the entire day. After the nap, they ate supper. Inferno and Over Flame went to check on their house. The workers told them it was done, except for furnishing. The house was a large, 4 story Guagillean style manor. Inferno and Over Flame were both eager to sleep in their house, instead of in a tent on the sand. The furniture was supposed to arrive the next day from Aquador. AXEM INFERNO: This is great! Now we have an actual place to sleep! AXEM OVER FLAME: Not to mention a training room, a kitchen, an armory, a- AXEM INFERNO: I know what�s in our house, I designed it after all. AXEM OVER FLAME: Sorry�Hey, I got a question. AXEM INFERNO: Shoot. AXEM OVER FLAME: Umm�alright� He fired a Fireball at Inferno (it caused no damage). AXEM INFERNO: I meant say your question. AXEM OVER FLAME: Oh�I never got that expression. Does this mean we can start having fun? AXEM INFERNO: If by having fun you mean exploring new worlds, then no. AXEM OVER FLAME: Why not? AXEM INFERNO: Because we need to get the house furnished. Plus we need to let Tarn get settled in a little first. AXEM OVER FLAME: I forgot about him� AXEM INFERNO: How? He is like the smartest person I ever met! AXEM OVER FLAME: Exactly� AXEM INFERNO: He�s not a bad fighter either�I mean, he�s no Bob, but he�s not bad. AXEM OVER FLAME: Bob? When I fought him last month, he was so easy. AXEM INFERNO: After he�d already beaten Blue, finished me off, and had his suit ruined� AXEM OVER FLAME: I hate Bob! His suit wasn�t fair! AXEM INFERNO: You almost sounded like Blue there� AXEM OVER FLAME: No I didn�t! Blue would�ve been less obvious about it! And he would have been all serious like. And he would have talked all �proper�. Inferno laughed. AXEM INFERNO: You would have done all of that too if you could. You are just as mad that Bob could beat you as Blue is. AXEM OVER FLAME: Axem Blue and I are not afraid of that pipsqueak! Besides, it was all his suit! I swear! I could�ve beaten him even with it� I think� End of Episode 20 |