Kingdoms Unknown: The Kingdom of Life

Chapter 8: Rescuers Way Under

Melody took Jace by the shirt, and shook him violently. "Why weren't you watching her, you idiot! As her boyfriend you should understand how important it is to keep her in your eyesight!"
"Hey, uh, Melody?" Ash called.
"What!" She continued shaking.
"We really need to focus on getting Merlinda back."
"Right." She let go, making Jace fall to the floor.

Jace got up. "What's the deal with shaking me like that! I told you that I was trapped in a room when I left to get drinks!"
"Well, you shouldn't have left, then." Melody mumbled.
"What was that?!"
"Now, now, there's no need for an argument from you two." Terra interrupted. "Besides, Queen Nava trapped him there. We all know where she is, we just have to find a way in."
"Yeah, most likely she's in his throne room." Melody said. "Ash, Jace, and I will go. We are the only ones who've seen the castle's interior."
"Sounds great, but take my brother with you. You'll need approach with stealth." Terra said.
"Are you sure, because-"
"I already saw what happened when you approached without him; not a good idea." Terra interrupted Melody.
Melody sighs. "Fine, let's go."

"Wait a minute." King Elmer came from a corridor.
"Grandfather, are you feeling well?" Terra asked.
"Better, but not well. That battle really got me, but never mind that." He takes out a red hilted sword in a brown and gold scabbard, and gives it to Jace. "This is for you. Your father sent it, and wanted me to give it to you. I almost forgot about it."
"Thank you, King Elmer." Jace said.
The King nodded, then fell down, where Terra helped him up using vines.
"He needs more rest. I will stay to treat him. I wish you all luck." She said.
Everyone nodded, then began walking out.
"Be careful." Terra said.
"Always." Ash added with a smile, and joined the others.

Everyone was at the main entrance of the kingdom. Ash finally caught up. "There you are." Melody said. "Saying goodbye to your girlfriend?" She said sarcastically.
Ash blushed. "N-No. Welcoming your boyfriend?" He said sarcastically.
Melody blushed. "No...we don't have time for this."
"Then, come on!" Trevor said.
"We're coming."

Melody and Ash joined Trevor and Jace. "Are you sure you'll be fine without the horses?" Jace asked.
"I'll manage." Melody said shakily.
"In other words that means 'no'" Ash added.
Melody narrowed her eyes at him.

Trevor transformed into his dragon form-a brown, wingless dragon with two boulders on opposite side of his tail, three stalagmites on his back, horns going to the back, and yellow eyes-, and created a giant hole in the ground. "Ladies first." Ash said.
Melody looked at him, and pushed him down. "I was first last time, remember." She jumped in.
Then, Jace went. Finally, Trevor.

Ash landed on the bottom. Melody landed near him. "Why did you push me?" He complained.
"You of all people should understand how I feel about repeating past events." She responded.
"Yeah, but that hurt!"
"Deal with it!"
"I hate it when you get this way." He mumbled.
"What?"
"You know where the others are?"
"No, I can't see."
"Well, I can help." Ash takes out his wand, and creates a ball of light.

Melody helps him up, and they look up. "I don't get it. We all came from that hole." The hole closes.
"Yeah." Ash added.
"That Trevor must be playing a joke. Only he can control earth, and I bet Jace is helping him."
"Or, there could be something else down here."
Melody takes her bow, and they walk down the tunnel in front of them.

A little ways down, they stop at the sound of a rumble. Melody narrows her eyes. Ash starts to shake. "What was that?"
"Shh." Melody says.
The rumble grows louder.
"It's coming closer."
"Shh."
The rumble grows even louder, then goes silent.
"Uh, it's here."
"Shh!" Trevor and Jace bursted into the tunnel from above. Trevor was back in human form.
"Ahhh!" Ash was terrified.

Trevor and Jace laughed. "We got you guys good, didn't we?" Jace said.
"Your faces." Trevor added.
"So," Melody began with an enraged tone. "You think this is a joke, huh?" She reaches into the pocket on her belt. "Well," She takes out three silver round objects between her fingers. "This joke comes with a bang."
Ash turned white. "No, wait, Melody, they were kidding."
"I didn't find it funny."
Ash turned to them. "Run, now!"
Trevor and Jace looked at each other, and ran.
Melody chased them, and threw the objects, which exploded behind the boys.
Ash was behind Melody.

"What was the big deal?!" They yelled, covered in dirt.
"Be glad my bombs are only startling bombs, which I use on predators." Melody said annoyed. "Next time, understand who you play with when you do so." Melody walks passed them. "Now, we have a task to complete. Let's go do it.

"She scares me sometimes." Trevor says, changing back into a dragon.
"She scares me a lot of times." Jace adds.
"She never stops scaring me." Ash walked passed them. "Come on."
They all continue, with Melody in the lead.