Monster Legends - Volume 1: A World Of Monsters

3. Stella the Nature Trainer

"Do you have any Monsters?" I ask out of curiosity, as me and my new friend Stella walk down the path. "Oh yes! Wanna see?" I look at her, and can't stop the smile breaking out. "Sure." She seemed really cheerful. Taking the backpack off her back, she rummaged through it, finally taking out a red Monstagram. "Here we go!" She presses the right button and the My Monsters screen projects out. "I have five Monsters. My most powerful so far is Rarawr. She's on level nine currently. My starter Monster was Treezard, then I have Greenasaur, Sheluke and the most rarest of the lot, Tarzape." I process all the information while Bolt gives a little wag of his tail when he catches my eye. "Cool. But say, why are they all nature?" I ask. "Because I love nature! I love its colours! Its smell! And besides, everyone knows that nature Monsters are the strongest!"

I make a grimace. "No they're not! Kelly told me that according to his research, Monsters of the metal element seem to have more power than others." Stella glares at me. "Who is this Kelly anyway?" She asks in a bossy voice I definitely did not like. "He is a very smart Monster researcher and inventor." I say, searching her eyes for any sign of rememberance. "You mean Kelly Robertson? The guy that gained the world record for fitting the most popcorn in his mouth?" "Yes! Wait...what?! No! Not him! Kelly Robins! Don't you recognize him?" I see her thinking, and then her face shows signs of recognition as she smiles. "Of course! He invented Monstagrams, right?" "Yes! Indeed, that's him!" I say, proud to be living in the town with the famous researcher. "He's nothing compared to Shyla Stevens, the Brewer in my town! She invented the health potion! How good is that?" I roll my eyes. "Kelly is way better! Without him, there would be no Monstagrams, meaning no Monsters to catch and no Monster battles!" I say, reluctant to give in. "Fine! Think what you want! But if Kelly didn't invent Monstagrams, someone else would eventually. Health potions on the other hand, are very useful and can make your Monster last in a battle for longer." I start to say something back, but Bolt interrupts me. I look down at him, and he barks, poining his head forwards. I look, and see a small town with a hill behind it.

"What town is that?" I ask. Stella takes her backpack off her back again, and takes out a rolled up parchment. "Here we go! The map of the nearby towns and villages." "Can you read the map?" I ask. Stella nods. "A bit. Your town isn't far from here, is it?" She asks. "No. It's called Gillamoore." "Ok. I see it. So the town in front of us should be..." She turns the map around, tracing a finger along it. "Town Verda. Should we go and see what's going on?" "Sure." I nod. "Might as well."

As soon as we enter the town, I feel the sudden change of atmosphere. "What's going on? Why is everyone staring at us?" I whisper to Stella. She feels just as uneasy as I do. And Bolt does too. A little boy comes running out of the crowd, with a cheerful smile on his face. "Are you Monster trainers?" He asks with...hope? "Yes, we are. Can we help you or anyone here?" I ask, the boy nodding furiously. "Oh yes indeed. Follow me, you need to meet my father, Dor."

Without another word, the boy turns around and leads us to a large brick house. He knocks three times onto the heavy wooden door. Moments later, there's a loud click and it swings open. "Hello Sid, what brought you here so early? Normally you play with your friends all day long." "Hi Dorris. I've brought two Monster trainers." Dorris looks up and notices us for the first time. "Oh. Well that's wonderful! Come on in! We've been looking for folk like you for a long time now. We need your help. Dor will like to speak to you." Under Dorris's greeting gaze, we enter the house, Sid running off again.

"Would you like some tea?" Dorris asks, and I nod. "Yes please, sir." "Please, call me Dorris.""Yes please, Dorris." I say the way he wanted it this time. "And for the beautiful lady too?" Stella blushes slightly at his compliment. "Yes please, s...I mean Dorris." He smiles at us and leads us to the living room. "Wait just a moment. Dor will come down when he's ready."