darkSpyro

"Yes... oh wait, Cole and Mambo remain. I'll get them right away." Sybil said, rushing herself. Se had been so worried about waking up Crocux that she forgot anout the keas. She left, deciding she would go faster through the trees than on the ground, so jumping from tree to tree like a monkey, she headed to the kea's home...

But since it was going to take a few minutes to get there and a few more to arrive, Cairo decided to kill some time.
"So then... anyone cares to explain what's up now?" he asked in a neutral tone, looking directly at Rose, as if wanting to let her know he was still upset for her letting him in the dark about everything that was going on lately.

Cairo lowered his head, still not believing any of this.
"Please! I'm sure they were just nightmares. A dead beast can't return from it's demise. Shadow left such an impression on us that it's no wonder it would traumatized some." Cairo expressed, referring to both Rose and Sybil, and still dismissing Shadow's visit as nothing more than a series of nightmares.

"Oh great, now they got me doing it!" Cairo said ignorantly, showing no fear at all, and believing that Rose and the other's paranoia got him hallucinating as well. He wasn't afraid because, why would he? That shadow must have been his imagination... but everyone was having the same vision? Either way, he was stubborn and tried to believe it was still his imagination, since an orca shouldn't show any fear in his opinion. But somewhere else, Yodel was also seeing it, and it looked too real. Was that really his former master as a shadowy ghost?

Meanwhile, Sybil managed to reach the kea's tree on record time, though rushing so much made her way too exhausted. After catching her breath, she went to look for Mambo, though she didn't need to since he already saw her.
"Hey Sybil. Yo girl, what's the rush? You look like all the air from your lungs had been drained." he said comically, though judging by Sybil's reaction, she had some urgent news.
"Notice Mambo. Listen, this is very urgent. I need you to get Cole and follow me to the beach immediately." she explained quickly, still panting.
"Cole is not here. He went looking for Cheryl. Don't worry though, I will get him." Mambo said as he flew off, leaving Sybil to rest while he looked for his bodyguard...

Cairo could feel the burn, and didn't find it funny at all. How was it possible that Shadow was still after the Haven residents even after his own death? Although he was still in shock about what was happening, his top priority remained the protection of the Haven residents, especially Rose, so not thinking through, he beached himself and grabbed Shadow by the tail, not even wondering if it was going to just go through to Shadow or even hurt Cairo himself.

Sybil waited for Mambo to find Cole, but something in her gut told her something was awfully wrong. She grew desperate by the minute. Mambo already knew he had Togo to the beach, so deciding not to wait for him, she stormed off again, as vulnerable and exhausted as she was...

Cairo looked everywhere frantically, searching for the source of the voice.
"Who is there!? Who said that!?" Cairo exclaimed, seemingly to himself. Yodel seemed to enjoy himself. The big orca looked like he was losing it.

While Sybil was still slowly heading to the beach, Mambo found Cole. He was looking for someone.
"Hey Cole. The lady Sybil has requested our presence at the beach." Mambo informed, but it looked like Cole had problems of his own.
"Can it wait? I lost both Cheryl and the donkey we were suppose to watch." Cole explained, but knew he had to obey his boss.
"You know Cheryl. She is mischievous, but she won't get in trouble on purpose. And the donkey can wait too. Let him explore a little." Mambo expressed, knowing too well how overprotective Cole could be of his sister.

OOC: Rose's is a green dragon (don't remember name), Crocux has a phoenix (Flare), Sybil has the Trico, and an eagle for Cairo. You still haven't established the rest.

"What guardians! And you haven't answered! Who are you!?" Cairo said, as he continued to dangerously beach himself to stop Shadow from getting Rose.

But as her gut feeling became more urgent, Sybil ran more, her sudden adrenaline rush being enough to go to a similar velocity she had when going to the kea's tree. The forest was quite big, and it took a while to navigate it. The keas flew in a slower pace, not having the same bad feeling as Sybil, but since flying gave them a huge advantage, they were going more or less at a similar pace...

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"Then we will do it on the beach where their is less residents." Crystal said. "I can bring what I need."

Crocux was awoken in his den.

after waking up Crocux could sense danger and headed off to the beach at a gallop trying to arrive as soon as possible.

OOC: Go to post #1848. I had to pu that Crocux already went to the beach with Sybil. Sorry.

It took several minutes, but as Shadow was seemingly and slowly gloating at his near victory with Rose, Sybil arrived, seconds later before Cole and Mambo.
"Shadow!?" The exhausted and weak Sybil exclaimed, opening her eyes as big as a marble, and witnessing poor Cairo still trying to beach himself more to save Rose, but he couldn't no more.
"Holy moly!" Mambo exclaimed, that word being the only thing able to leave his beak. That was Shadow! Even in his ghost form, he could still recognize him...

Crocux obayed touching Cairo.

Sayan made haste-- quickly touching Rose's paw and allowing his the ritual to continue.

Sybil did the same, as well as the reluctant Cairo. This didn't looked natural at all, so it was annoying him. The keas held paws and wings as well, so all that remained was for Crystal to do her job before Shadow decided to strike now...

"OK Trico. I need you to come now. If this works, we won't have to worry about Shadow for a while." Sybil called, knowing he would obey her without question.

Cairo still had no idea what this guardian business was all about, but he followed the instructions anyway.
"You. Voice from earlier. I summon you." Cairo called, sounding like a straight order than him asking for a favor.

Mambo and Cole proceeded to do the same, even though last night was so peaceful to them, they were in such a deep sleep that they didn't have the time to meet their guardians just yet. But if there was a time to do it, it was now. So they both called at the same time, not knowing what to expect...

Crocux says "Flare you know what to do"

OOC: Then it's time to remember page 38

With all guardians appearing, it was time to deal with Shadow. But as Sybil braced herself for the outcome, she was wondering if this was just going to make things worse. That wildflower that the warblers were searching, neither of them had no idea how it looked like. What if it wasn't the only flower that grew close to volcanoes? What's more, being near a volcano was dangerous in itself, without it needing to erupt. So many of their lives were lost already due to the python, and now there were many more exposing themselves for the sake of everyone. If the expedion proofed unsuccessful, that meant Shadow couldn't be rid of, and trapping him right now may increase his wrath, and maybe even power...

"You... you shall never harm her again! Guardian, whomever you may be, come out in our time of need!," Sayan yelled at the voice of Shadow.

Sybil frowned her eyebrows, but inside, she was both nervous and exhausted. She just wanted that overwhelming ritual to be over with before Shadow could figure out an escape plan...

From his hiding place, Yodel was watching the whole thing. He almost felt like he was in another dimension with that spectacle of colors and eerie lights.
"A witch! Sybil has brought a witch to our home!" Yodel exclaimed to himself, believing that nobody could be rid of a ghost unless it was through witchcraft. That was something that no doubt was going to stir the warbler community, or at least the very few that remained...

Sybil looked disappointed with the outcome.
"Wait, is he going to stay here just like that? I thought you were going to chain him in the spirit world, where nobody could see him." Sybil accused, knowing she just couldn't have a vengeful spirit in chains right there at the Haven's shore for all of them to see. She didn't know if that was still the Haven or a place similar to it...

Sybil let out a sight of relief. Having a ghost chained up on their beloved beach was certainly something nobody wanted. She was sure now that her stress levels were going to be reduced now that Shadow was temporarily restrained, but she knew that it wasn't forever. There wasn't going to be any peace until he was gone for certain. Despite not needing protection for a while, she was still determine d to visit Trico in her dreams, and try to have a good time, and was going to try to forget all about the python...

After all the ordeal was over, Sybil collapsed right there, being exhausted from the terrible run she had earlier. She then felt something pulling her tail, right to the water.
"Cairo? What are you doing?" she asked, thinking he was going to play even with her exhaustion.
"What does it look like? I'm taking you to Hunted island for your vacation. Isn't that what you wanted me to do this morning?" he said, wondering what else Sybil thought it was.

"Well, thanks for the weird spectacle, but I think we had enough Shadow for one day." Cairo said, looking at Rose, then at Crystal. He still had a hard time believing what just happened, and wanted to erase it from his mind, but knew it was impossible now. He threw Sybil to his back and started to swim to Hunted island, wanting to do nothing afterwards and hoping everyone left him alone.

"Maybe now... we can finally some peace from Shadow. Again.," Sayan said laying down upon the sand. He watched as Sybil rode off on the back of Cairo.

OOC: Remember to show Naga's activities from time to time redwes

"I'll be back soon." Sybil said from Cairo's back, planning to enjoy her vacation only until tomorrow if Barloc has a place for her to stay. Hopefully, things would be back to normal by tomorrow, at least if the python was keeping his promise and until Shadow was released again...

Cairo reached Hunted island and waited for Sybil to jump off.
"Thanks Cairo." she said as she jumped and turned to face him, but he had already turned his back to head to the water. Clearly he was still too upset with her. Sybil knew she could do nothing to prevent him from feeling that way, so without delay, she headed to Hu Ted island,where the eager Angus and Nia were waiting for her.

"Hey hey Miss Sybil. Finally you're here! We thought you were going to be here earlier." Nia said exitedly, still happy to see her despite her late arrival.
"Had a little delay." Sybil explained quickly.
"Well, we already tell uncle Barloc of your arrival, and he's waiting for you. He wants to escort you to the playground. He even has a little nest for you in case you decided to stay the night." Angus explained, which was very welcoming news indeed. Sybil then followed the cousins to the cockatoo tree, seeing that the drought was finally over there as well. It has been so long since her last visit...

Raul nodded. "Yes, him. His name is Harland. He's a very excitable and adventurous type, and as much as I'm sure you don't mind him exploring, I feel the limits should be set up." He had still not noted Harland being watched - or even his pretense nearby - so it was not surprising when he shook his head and said, "I don't know where he is, however. He ran off after the incident with Sayan. I do worry for him and hope he's alright. He is too young to be stressing over things out of his control like this."

Sybil arrived at the cockatoo tree, welcomed politely by Barloc.
"Welcome. I hope you had a pleasant trip. Now, permit me to show your our latest masterpiece." Barloc said with pride, escorting Sybil to the playground. Like his nephew and daughter, he wished Sybil would visit more often, though he didn't let her now. He did enjoy her company, even though he couldn't say the same about most of her friends.

Quote: Shadow-Cipher

Raul nodded. "Yes, him. His name is Harland. He's a very excitable and adventurous type, and as much as I'm sure you don't mind him exploring, I feel the limits should be set up." He had still not noted Harland being watched - or even his pretense nearby - so it was not surprising when he shook his head and said, "I don't know where he is, however. He ran off after the incident with Sayan. I do worry for him and hope he's alright. He is too young to be stressing over things out of his control like this."

"Yes, I know how it is." Cheryl said, trying t sound I the rested. Se was grinning when her brother left, so now she had a chance to search for Harland.
"Well, I'm off to find that donkey. Be careful with those horns." Cheryl said, as she flew off and left Raul alone, imagining he could do a lot of damage by just walking around.

Raul smiled and nodded in Cheryl's direction as she flew off. She moved before he could speak, but he was fine with this notion. After all, what else was there to say?

~~~

Harland had started moving now, trotting at a fairly quick pace, but with little indication of where he was going. He simply began moving, hoping it would be an escape for his mind.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"I will watch the island." Rose said.

"And I will be right by your side.," Sayan said with a smile rubbing against Rose. For once-- it felt like true peace for however long it may last.

Barloc lead Sybil to the playground, and her jaw dropped. That was one magnificent place. One could swear it was built by humans. It was no wonder neither of the cockatoos had the time to visit the Haven if it meant spending the time building that place. She felt bad that neither she or her friends helped with the construction, but then again, nobody knew until much later. It was finally time to enjoy herself. Shooing her worries away, she started to play. It has been so long she had any kind of fun (except maybe the orca game, but that was more fun to them than her).

Quote: Shadow-Cipher

Harland had started moving now, trotting at a fairly quick pace, but with little indication of where he was going. He simply began moving, hoping it would be an escape for his mind.

Cheryl passed right by him, but she didn't see him. She wasn't paying attention anyway, since she wanted to do as much as she could now that her brother was off on a mission and has, sort of, given her permission to look for the curious, explorative donkey.

"Alright.," Sayan replied with a big smile. "Last to the water is the first to get splashed!," he then said running towards the water.

OOC: Hey redwes, don't forget to keep us updated about Naga's activities from time to time.

Sybil had the time of her life with that playground. It had everything; water slides, swings, sandboxes (courtesy of Whirlpool) and even a merry-go-round. Now Sybil knew very well where to go whenever she was feeling stressed. What's more, the playground was near the meadow, right in front of the mini gulf that was Randy's secret place. The warblers that moved to Hunted island were watching how much fun their matriarch was having, and were quite happy for her. The majority felt sorry for how hard she blamed herself for the python's assault, so it was refreshing to see her in a careless position for once.

"Catch me if you can!," Sayan said picking up speed.

Meanwhile, a hungry Naga was chewing on something deep within the woods. "The voice... its.. it's gone.," he said to himself feeling an sudden emptiness and gaping hole where the angry spirit of Shadow once resided.

While Sybil was having the time of her life on Hunted island, she couldn't help thinking about her beloved Haven, she then remembered that the python was being influenced by Shadow, and wondered how the enormous reptile felt now that Shadow was restrained. Shadow couldn't communicate with anybody that way, could it?

Back at the Haven, a shocked Yodel was flying around, needing to be alone. He was tired of living at the kea's tree, angrily remembering how that tree was his own home a few years ago before the meddling parrots arrived. He still couldn't understand what happened at the beach, but that didn't stop him from having the same opinion about Crystal. Now he was convinced that she was a witch, and that she was going to be nothing but trouble. He went far away from where his warbler neighbors lived, close to the swamp but not in Naga's territory, needing to ponder on how he could convince his fellow warblers the caracal was bad news...