Season 11.5 [Rewrite: Continuation]

Failure

(A/N: Having to reformat everything is a pain :/)

It is concept that those who breathe life encounter after a string of successes.

Yet though the child and the adult scorn the wrongness inflicted by their woe, do not fret. It is all but a crucial step in this journey of life, for it assesses the hearts of the wanderer and processes this question: Are you prepared to live?

Are you? If so, utilize this failure as your personal servant, one with the wisdom of king.

If not, then cast it behind as nothing but ramble on the streets.

>_<

Scott gathered the team over, a party of three for the table. Sleepy eyes, wrinkled clothing, and a half-dead ninja crowded close, and Scott retrieved their mission.

"Jay says he's about to hit the maze. If that's the case, we'll be able to participate in the races before he returns." Scott was in uniform before the drowsy crew. "Only problems are our credits and vehicles. I trust Nya to fix up the last one, but."

"We know, we know. We'll get the credits." Kai complained with a snort. Scott tossed a flick of the eye.

It was obvious he didn't enjoy the early-morning interruption. "Good. Any other questions?"

The room was silent save for the grumpy spirits from Kai.

"Then get outta here and go!"

>_<

Jay stretched his arm out, his eyes to the cliffs.

"Rise and shine cult master!" Eric murmured over his head. Jay groaned with a toss of the eye as he rolled over to avoid the mercenary.

The tent flap opened to the layers of sunlight traveling through, most of the group up and ready. There was a scent of meat and bread in the air, and his stomach rumbled to the tantalising scent.

"It's not a cult," Jay complained as he stood. His clothes and gear were brandished and polished, ropes for the cliffs in a corner of the tent. "It's just a hiding mechanism to avoid the visors," he completed as he chased the aroma of food.

Their guide slowly considered the meaning of their words. "I see. This explains the meaning of your uniforms."

Eric graciously laughed as Jay wallowed in distress. "Yup. And our cult master is searching for the most sacred object of all: the keytana!"

"No, that's not--" Jay intervened, but Okino merely nodded at the explanation.

"It is most honorable to personally venture out for your sacred object. I salute you, master." Okino bowed in respect. Jay slit his eyes with a groan as Eric chuckled.

John smiled as he delivered a bowl. "Sun's out. We should get moving soon."

"Jacob's said he's spotted some visors nearby." Perry unclothed his disguise from the brush close by. "Three parties. Each with four or more visors."

Jay slurped his breakfast as Eric tidied up the tent and free materials. "Do we have the ropes?"

"Brought our own. The vendor here overprices them." Perry called out with a rope in his hands.

Jay squinted. "Have one for me?"

"We won't leave our client behind." John exclaimed as he tossed one over. Perry fastened his harness, Eric and Okino copying him as Jay handled his own.

"Did Jacob reach the top of the cliffs?" He asked as Eric helped with the safety features.

"Yeah. He's good with climbing." Eric indicated to the tie. "The other ends of these ropes are already with Jacob, so try not to stray too far."