The Curse of Day/Part6H

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5th Day, 9:00 AM
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"…and that should finish up that part of the plan," said Taru-Na. "All right, everyone, I think you've completed everything we've discussed, so now it's just time to figure out which of the three nearby Sol Emeralds you're getting next: the one in Chemical Plant, the one in Mystic Cave, or the one in Wing Fortress."
The heroes were all standing around near a vault in Metropolis, which was a city on West Side Island where they'd deposited the second Sol Emerald (after having deposited the first one on South Island and done all of the steps in between). Now, it was up to the six team members—the original five plus Taglumo (Vereco had taken her leave due to having work during that time)—to figure out how they were going to go about getting more Sol Emeralds and thus stopping anyone who'd want to use them to take over the world.
Kennedy raised his hand. "I think I'd be best going to Chemical Plant. My body should be more prepared to take in chemicals like the ones that are there, so I think it'd be safe for me to head there."
Alexia spoke up, also. "I-I think I should g-g-go to Wing F-For-Fortress, because I c-could ride there e-easily w-with my mobile sn-snowflake."
"I think we should go to Wing Fortress too," said Taglumo. "I mean, like Kennedy said, most of us probably couldn't take in chemicals that easily. Also, I've heard that there are lots of nasty vine thingies in Mystic Cave, so I don't know if I could deal with those. But Wing Fortress shouldn't be so hard. I mean, come on," said Taglumo, sounding completely genuine, "it's just a super-fortified fortress up in the sky. How hard could it be to get a magical item located somewhere random in it?"
"If necessary, I could go to Chemical Plant by myself. Because if we only check Mystic Cave and Wing Fortress, what if your uncle easily takes the Sol Emerald in Chemical with one of his bots?" Kennedy proposed.
"Good point," said Taglumo. "So, where's everyone else going?"
Taru-Na could be heard saying quietly over the line, "I don't think splitting up the group is a good idea..." Taglumo didn't hear her.
Skylor waved, trying to get everyone's attention. "Hey, if the little snowball wants to go to Wing Fortress, I can go with her." She crossed her arms. "I already said I don't wanna go to Chemical Plant."
Lee didn't say a thing, just staring at his lap.
"Splitting up might not be the best idea," Padparadscha spoke up. She had the strangest sensation that everyone had been waiting a very long time for her to say something, which made her feel unaccountably guilty. "I mean, I see the danger of letting any of the Sol Emeralds wait longer than necessary, Kennedy, but what if Mr. Sinjoro does send the bots somewhere? Any group of us would be much more vulnerable than the whole. If we are going to split up, we should at least take into account what each of us can and can't do, and try to partner people who complement each other."
Taru-Na could be heard starting to say something over the line, only to be cut off by Taglumo, who couldn't hear her. "Don't put me on any of the teams," he said. "I'm terrible at coming up with compliments."
Taru-Na cleared her throat in a rebuking manner (the purpose of which completely sailed past Taglumo) and said, "What I was going to say is that Padparadscha's plan sounds like the most eminently sensible thing that anyone here has come up with so far."
Lee looked up from his lap, nervously speaking. "I-I'm not good at anything in particular..."
Skylor nodded. "I can agree with that. Me, I'm just a fighter with fire." She said, repeating herself and changing the phrasing.
"I think you guys are more useful than you realize," Padparadscha said, glossing over Taglumo's misunderstanding. "For example, Skylor, your fire powers might be exactly right for the 'nasty vine thingies' in the Mystic Cave. Lee, if you can cover yourself with the DT-1, you could easily accompany Kennedy to the Chemical Plant. Alexia and Taglumo have already expressed a preference to go to the Wing Fortress, and both of them can get up there. I can go with you, Skylor – I can curl up inside my shell while you do the fire, at least. How does that sound for a plan?"
"I think that sounds splendid," Kennedy said. Alexia nodded.
"Well, I hope you know where we're going, since I'm not from here." Skylor said, cracking her knuckles and addressing Padparadshca.
"Oh!" Padparadscha looked surprised. "I have no idea, either. I assumed that Taru-Na would tell us, once we were ready to leave." Turning to the phone, she asked, "Taru-Na, will you be able to give directions to those of us who need them? If you don't mind, I mean?"
"Absolutely," said Taru-Na. "I've already obtained directions to the three different locations, so once you all have a plan—and I think you've pretty much agreed on one—giving out the directions should be a snap."
"Well, Lee, I'll try not to hinder you," Kennedy said with a smile, looking at the young boy with a happy but still a bit serious glare. What is up with his energy... it's all over the place. Hm.... this truly is intriguing. I'll have to ask him about it.
Alexia nodded towards Taglumo. "T-T-Taglumo, I-I'll try my b-best to assist y-you!"
"I'll try my best to assist you too!" said Taglumo happily.
"Let me know when you're all good to go," said Taru-Na.
"Ready to burn, miss Taru-Na." Skylor grinned.
"M-me too," Lee muttered.
Category:The Curse of Day