The Wasp Chronicles #1: Into the Hornet's Nest

The Wasp Tribe & Ruby of Misfortune

K. J. was still holding onto the tragic ruby, when all of a sudden, a flying man, that looked like the horrible beast that was chasing us, swooped down and snatched the bright gemstone out of her hand.  “Hey come back with that ruby!” Another girl shouted.  It was Aloe, another junior at L.E.H.S.  “Aloe, what are you doing here?” I asked.  “I was following that wasp man to see where he was going, and then I found you guys.”  She explained.  The wasp creature vanished, and suddenly, we heard the same noises we heard earlier.  It sounded like some sort of weird chant, and it began to get louder and louder.  Clément ran out of nowhere and a bunch of islanders came after.  They spotted us and chased us down. I escaped, but, unfortunately, the others were captured except for Clément.  Consequently, it was up to me and Clément to rescue our fellow band pals from the clutches of that tribe.

So Clément and I masqueraded as members of the wasp tribe (because they looked like wasps) and taught ourselves how to speak their language (it was difficult but we managed to do it). So we went to their tribal meeting and listened to their tribal leader (he was the flying man we saw) speak.  “Ew evah thguac sevlesruo emos secifircas rof eht tenroh ot tsaef os ew llahs evah doog enutrof dna ytirepsorp rof ruo ebirt (Translation: We have caught ourselves some sacrifices for the hornet to feast so we shall have good fortune and prosperity for our tribe)!”  Then he held up the Ruby of Misfortune, which, according to Hornetian legend, was empowered by their ancient ancestors to cause misfortune to those who were not worthy enough to be as fearless warriors. Also, according to Hornetian legend, before the person can be worthy of holding the precious jewel, he or she must pass a series of four trials and tests.  The first test consists of the young challenger becoming a warrior with training.  Following that, in the second trial, the new warrior must earn the tribe’s leader’s respect as a fellow tribe member, prove that he or she is a fearless warrior, and is ready to take on the final two challenges.  Unfortunately, most fresh warriors don’t survive the last two challenges.  The third test is to retrieve the spear of souls and defeat the tribal leader in a Duel of the Fearless, in which, if successful, the tribal leader perishes and his conqueror gains his powers.  Nevertheless, the fourth and final task is to vanquish the ancient hornet beast, DinoVespa the Great and its equally vicious counterparts MegaVespa the Terrible and ShadowVespa, Ruler of the Shadows.