Cobalt and The Five Stars

Chapter 10

We made a grand entrance at the charity auction aboard Lucio's airship, radiating confidence and style. Winnona, adorned in a lime dress and floral boots, showcased her botanical prowess with elegance. In contrast, Lucio donned purple attire decorated with a gear pattern, accompanied by a custom-made chest piece, bracelets, and leather boots designed for underwater exploration.

"And what about you, Cobalt?" Lucio inquired.

Observing my journey-worn outfit, I realized it spoke volumes. Winnona, ever considerate, had already fashioned a remarkable ensemble for me—a black tuxedo adorned with ghostly decorations, paired with grey boots and royal blue pants. There was no need for words. Though Lucio noticed a missing element, he had a spare item to complete my attire.

Lucio handed me the chest piece, and I instinctively understood its purpose. Placing it near my ear, it seamlessly transformed into a piercing. Lucio, Winnona, and even my pet frog Hopper applauded in amazement.

As we headed toward the ocean dimension, Lucio couldn't help but praise my appearance, anticipating attention from numerous admirers. Chuckling, I placed my hand on Lucio's shoulder.

"Same to you, bud," I replied, "but remember, we're on a mission, not a nightclub."

Lucio and Winnona agreed, and just then, Hopper appeared, holding a Polaroid photo in his flippers.

I inquired, "What do you have there, Hopper?" Before he could reveal it, Winona covered my eyes, leading to my frustrated exclamation.

"I can't see, Winona!" I protested. She insisted on a promise before restoring my vision.

"I will let you see again if you promise not to look at Mona's picture!"

"Why?" I asked, between grunts, "Is she ugly?"

Winona explained that Mona might be excessively blunt and warned of potential awkwardness.

Despite my curiosity, I promised not to peek. Upon arriving at Roughbay, we utilized our underwater breathing devices to communicate with the Roughbayans. The environment resembled Times Square in New York, with vibrant coral-colored buildings and humanoid fish populating the area. Navigating the bustling marine streets became challenging, and we found ourselves stranded in a cold, dark abyss.

"What's that smell?" Winona demanded. Lucio quickly replied, "It's not me, is it?" A menacing growl emerged from the darkness.

"We need to leave this place now," I ordered, moments before a giant squid confronted us.

Swimming frantically to escape, Lucio reminded us of the target's exceptional speed and the added challenge of Lamonte's gloves on its tentacles. Seizing an opportunity, I grabbed the gloves to create a distraction, allowing my crew to escape.

Expecting Lucio and Winnona to try and convince me to join them, I sensed Lucio's faith in my ability to return unscathed. Swiftly putting my plan into action, I snatched the leather gloves from the squid, causing it to become even more agitated. In the ensuing chaos, the squid injected ink into my eyes, plunging me into darkness.

Gentle hands covered my eyes and face, and when I opened my eyes, a blonde girl with purple streaks stood before me—Mona Amphitrite.

"It's great to see that you're still here," she remarked with a hint of sarcasm. "I just wanted to remind you that I provided some assistance."

As we sat on the shore, Mona revealed her hydrokinetic and aerokinetic capabilities. The arrival of Lucio and Winnona led to a confrontation between the two girls. Attempting to defuse the situation, I asked if they held resentment toward their abilities, surprising them with my insight.

As we navigated the chaos, a realization struck me—I was in deep trouble for focusing on photography, a task prohibited by Winnona. Despite urgent questions, my concentration remained on the auction and the uncooperative hostess, Mona.

In a twist, Mona reluctantly hosted the auction after her mother passed out. The lecture took an unexpected turn, leading to Winnona's whisper about my empathic abilities. Confused, I faced a giant tentacle bursting through the window, which prompted Lucio to explain. Before the revelation, the chaos intensified as a giant squid resurfaced.

"Dodge!" Winnona shouted. Mona pulled me aside to safety, holding me close.

"Answering your question, Cobalt, yeah, I was there," she said, "you were nearly blinded by the squid's ink, but I healed you with my abilities."

Amidst the chaos, we heard approaching gunfire—the army of Roughbay had arrived. Facing the relentless squid, Lucio pointed out that our target was exceptionally fast, wearing Lamonte's gloves on its tentacles. Winnona spotted salt and pepper guns on a table, and we formulated a plan to incapacitate the squid.

The final brawl with Tsunami commenced, with Winnona latching onto its tentacles and Lucio, Mona, Hopper, and I attacking its eye with salt and pepper. The giant squid shrieked, spitting out the sought-after star. In a comical twist, Tsunami transformed from gargantuan to adorably tiny.

"Cobalt, that was amazing!" Mona shouted as she embraced me, and I confidently returned the embrace. The celebration continued as we explored Roughbay on the elusive comet of the second elemental star.

Before leaving the dimension, I gave Mona a blue shell locket, expressing my wish to stay and know her better. Mona's response was silent, her soft hands cupping my face as she whispered, "See you in the Skies, Cobalt..." before I departed.

Back on the airship, lying on the floor, I gazed at the stars gliding across the sky. The sounds of Roughbay's waves echoed in my ears, reminding me of that magical night. Indelible memories—smells, touches, and smiles—were cherished close to my heart. As I prayed silently to the stars, I reflected on this beautiful start to our journey, taking it step by step, hoping for more magical moments in the future.