Chapter 7
Set Sail…

Mary Lane had Kandy restrained, after she broke into Miranda's house, looking to see where Miranda and her friends are going. Reluctantly, they are going to the island that Nick found, during his test sailing, to which it was the same island that Helen and Max are heading. She glared at the robot and whispered, "You dare go with Miranda Maynard and others, just for Helen the dark mistress?"

Kandy gasped, "Huh? You mean the same woman that attacked us?"

Mary Lane said, as she was upset, "I only came here that we shall be there, too… I came by to warn you… Also… Tell Miranda Maynard that I will be waiting for her, with her full power, including Harima and Haruna… You got it?"

Kandy then realized who she was. She asked, "Wait… You mean you're-?"

Mary Lane whispered, "You tell Miranda that I'll be waiting, but I am only giving you a warning. And also, I'm sorry for attacking your friends."

"What? Why?"

"I felt bad about it… Only…"

She snarled, "YOU! You cannot know! I am too embarrassed to say."

Kandy whimpered, "What will you do to me? I only… Please, Miss. You mustn't be-."

Mary Lane huffed, "For the record, I have a name. And also, make sure that you remember it."

She dug into her nightgown, on her back and opened her back panel. Kandy pleaded to stop, as Mary Lane asked, "Final warning! You tell me why you are going to that island, or I rip off your engine!"

Kandy said, "Not to be rude, but it's only for training. Plus, Mister Nick found a cave, after I was awakened, after a savage beating, with the letters U-D-D on it. He didn't bother entering."

"WHAT?"

Mary Lane gasped, as she remembered what Helen said, recently.
Mary then looked at a map she saw. It was on an uncharted island, marked with a skull and crossbones, with the words "Argos' Symbolic End" on it. She then looked clearly at the map, as Helen turned around and said, "You are curious, are you?"

Mary Lane gasped, as she said, "No, it's just…"

"I don't mind. You and your friends, Sam, Mick, Will, and Max, will assist me. Even if Miranda's friends come or not, they'll be wasted away, again; only this time, they die."

"I understand. I will do as you say, Master…"

She growled under her breath, "Sodding little arse-kisser…"

Then when she confronted Will…
She walked closer to Will, as he stepped back. He shivered, "No… Wait… You cannot hurt me. You can't! Helen was just using us for a certain task for her, in which she wants the amulet of Ultimate Darkness. I overheard and was about to tell Max that he will take it for himself. We never liked her, anyway, since all she cares about was herself and her teacher."

"Helen…" She snarled quietly, "That bitch!"

She let go of Kandy, as she walked away. She then said, "Do not tell anybody I came… Even if you did, your lives are in danger."

Kandy asked, as she adjusted her blouse, "One last question… Who are you?"

She dashed off, as she escaped through the window, leaving through the grass.

Kandy was confused. She thought, "Such a mean woman… But she is warning us, or something… I don't know…"

She held her chest and was nervous. Eri woke up and asked, "I heard a noise. What happened?"

Kandy blushed, as she adjusted her back, "Sorry… It was nothing."

"You need help?"

Kandy turned around and said, "Please. I really cannot reach, since it was undone…"

She adjusted her back of her clothing and found the problem. Her blouse was caught in her back panel. She gasped, as she opened her back panel and looked into her circuitry.

"You're… You're a robot?" Eri gasped.

Kandy blushed, "You guessed, right? I thought you knew, since my legs are made of diecast…"

She looked at her gold-plated legs and was shocked. She asked, "You're for real, right? You're really a humanoid android? So lifelike… I'm, I'm sorry. I didn't know."

Kandy said, as she held her hands, "Miss Eri…"

Eri turned her back around and closed her back panel. Kandy added, "Miss Eri. It's fine. The others don't mind, since I was created."

"What about Whiskers?"

"You mean Harima? Well, no… I tried to explain, but I couldn't. I'm too nervous."

"I see."

"When I was created, I was nervous about myself, since being in front of people that don't know me, and they'd brandish me as a freak… But lately, I wanted to be honest about myself. And luckily, when Daddy upgraded my body, I looked completely human. I had a blind date, recently, but my beau never returned."

"Then how come your legs are robotic?"

"Daddy didn't have enough material left to make more synthetic skin. You could say that I wanted to be noticeable… but only to prove if I am for real."

"I see. So, you've met Miranda Maynard before?"

"She and Miss Erika first met me, after I woke up, after being in a test-run. However, there was a reason I was created…"

"How so?"

"Sophie… She was Daddy's daughter. She died of an illness, after she started to train to be like Jacob Avery, Erika's father, and Hanemore Maynard, Miranda's father. She never had the chance."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

She hugged her and said, "I was scared… I wanted to tell Miranda what happened tonight."

"You said it was nothing!" Eri scolded.

Kandy said, "It's between Miss Miranda, myself, and the others. We'll tell you, when we get the chance. For now, we should go back to sleep."

Eri smiled, "Okay. If you need me, I'll be in Emily's room."

Kandy asked, "Carry me? I need to recharge… Take me back to Miss Erika's room. Miranda and Harima are sleeping together, while Erika and Nick sleep with me."

"Okay. I'm just watching over Emily, since she likes me."

Eri lifted her up and took her to her room.

Outside, Mary Lane returned, listening on, in anger. "Rotten little doll… She's such a blabbermouth."

She ran off, heading back to where Helen is.

The next day, everyone, except for Miranda, Haruna, and Emily, were by the docks, miles from Desert Combs. It was connected to a river that is outside the boundary line. Nick showed his boat, which was a huge sailboat, with a tall mast and a white sail.

Harima asked, "Whoa. I wonder if it'll be a three-hour tour."

Kandy said, "According to our estimate, it'll take about seven hours to arrive."

He said, "Right."

Erika said, "Where the hell is Mira? She's running late!"

Nick said, "Haruna and Emily are running late, as well. Let's hope she gets here, before we set sail."

Kandy sobbed, "Let's hope so. Miss Erika and Miss Eri carried me, the morning, after I was motionless."

Eri said, "She was recharging… Don't ask."

Harima asked, "UH, why is she-?"

Eri and Erika barked, "DON'T ASK!"

Kandy blushed, as Nick whispered to her, "Why didn't you say it to him?"

Kandy shook her head and said, "I couldn't. Eri knows…"

"Of course. I'm surprised that she and Erin like each other."

Erika glared, "Will you not call me that?"

Eri asked, "Where are they, anyway?"

XXXXX

At Miranda's house, she and Haruna were packing up, as Emily was fixing her bed. As she was adjusting her sheet, she found a sword and shield under her bed. She thought, "Huh? What is this?"

The sword was long, about the same size as Miranda's, but with a shinier coat on its handle. The shield was circular and with a few scratches on the front. Emily figured that someone left it in her room. She then said, "I know I don't deserve it… but I'm still un-des-perienced. I wonder if this is Haruna's, since she doesn't use it, anymore."
She meant "Inexperienced".

She packed it in her backpack, covering it with her clothes, and lifted it up. Haruna appeared and asked, "Hey, Emily. You ready yet?"

Emily said, "Yes. I need to find Zeke and get going."

Haruna smiled, "Good to hear, young Huāshēng (peanut)."

They walked together, as Emily asked her, "Master Haruna, I was wondering… did you leave anything that is a weapon or some clothes in your room?"

"No. Why?" Haruna said.

Emily blushed and said, "Uh… Just wondering."

She thought, "Good. It's not hers. I'll show it to her, later."

Miranda called, from downstairs, "You are making me late, Emily Maynard! Get down here, young lady!"

Haruna huffed, as she called back, "It's not her fault! She was packing slowly!"

Miranda sobbed, "Aw, come on! Nick and the others will set sail, any minute!"

Haruna marched downstairs, as Emily held her backpack and said, "Mommy…"

Minutes later, after Miranda, Emily, and Haruna had arrive, Kandy waited by the boat and signaled everybody to get in.

"Please step in the boat, and be careful when standing by the deck," she spoke in a monotone voice, like she was a PA voice, "Captain Haskett will be ready to set sail, in a few minutes."

Nick, in a captain's hat and blue uniform, said to her, "First Mate Kandice, jolly good show of addressing the crew. Men, women, and children, please be careful, when you step inside."

He stepped inside, as Harima sighed, "It takes me back. I once sailed in the Pacific, after I wanted to reinvent myself."

Miranda asked, "How so?"

Harima said, "I'll tell you, on the way…"

They stepped in the boat, as Erika and Eri entered next. Emily and Haruna stepped in, as well, and then Kandy.

"All ashore that's going ashore!" Kandy called out, "Haul arse to the uncharted island!"

Eri huffed, "Moron. It's obvious that an android has never been in sea, before."

Erika smiled, "This is her first time. Let's hope she doesn't rock the boat."

Kandy glared at both women and snapped, "I heard that!"

XXXXX

As the boat was sailing in the water, Harima was in the cabin, starting to draw his comic again. Miranda stepped in, as she saw the comic with himself as the main character and with Tenma as the love interest. She then viewed it, and said, "So, you have been working on this, right?"

Harima said, "Well, it's not finished. I still need to know how to start it. You see, me, as the hero, come to the aid of Tenma, who was the princess being trapped in a castle, as-."

"It looks the same…"

"Huh?"

Miranda said, "Why do you want to do some on this comic you're doing? It looked the same. Everybody knows that the same characters are boring in stories, unless it is a series. Besides, when I went to Zubu, I met a few new friends, including Haruna and Nick. After that, it was a matter of time, before we could avenge the light into the darkness."

Harima said, "Oh. I'm only up to 30-pages. And I still need how to describe them…"

"You do it," she said, "I'm not much of an artist, since I had a B-Minus grade in Arts and Crafts, but I still weld and forge a smashing sword."

He said, "I am sorry. I didn't know."

"I'm not that special… I mean, comics are new to me, and…"

She looked at some of the pages and was befuddled, since they were still in work. She said, "You haven't started it, have you?"

He said, "Yes… But then there was the moment in your house, with that woman that attacked us. I needed some closure, since I need to concentrate. But if I ever see that woman again, you will have to defeat her."

She pouted, and then sighed, "It's more than that… You see…"

She explained, from Kandy, that a woman entered her house and tried to break in, but she left Kandy unharmed. She then said that Mary Lane wanted a challenge. However, Miranda didn't know who she was… neither did Kandy. Harima was enraged that he wanted to beat her up, but Miranda stopped him, saying that she wasn't the only one. The evil woman, Helen, and the thug, Max, were a part of this, when they attacked Erika, Kandy, and Haruna. Of course, Mayu rescued them, after they were about to be finished off.

Harima gasped, "No. He came back?"

Miranda said, "And Emily said that Max, the guy in white hair, called your fiancé "Half-Japanese". Does that ring a bell?"

Harima remembered him, since he heard of him in England, during their trip, years ago, and again, after he dropped Tenma off to America and disappeared from the city, only to be rescued by Eri, who nursed him back to health. He then placed his comic aside and said, "Well… It'll be easy to take out her entourage, by that I mean the woman who assaulted us, but seeing Max again really pisses me off. I thought it was settled!"

Miranda thought, "Eri, forgive me…"

She said, "I'm amazed that you knew of him. To be honest, Erika told me that they were simply crafty and evil. It felt like they were under a control."

He said, "Yes? You heard of his gang?"

She replied, "Of course… Well, from Erika and Eri, of course. You are so lucky to have someone like that little kipper, protecting you, like that."

Harima thought, as he smiled, "Rich Girl."

He said, as he placed his comic on the table, "So, anyway, thanks. How about you help me with another idea? I need to make this comic more amazing, and make the hero fight something fierce."

She retorted, "You think maybe you could fight a dragon?"

She then felt a chill, as she suddenly said the word, "Dragon… Sara fought a dragon, once…"

He shouted, "Great idea! You and Tenma's Sister have brains, when it comes to comic book drawing!"

Miranda smiled and nodded, as Erika appeared by the doorway, "There you are. Miranda, you are wanted, on deck."

Miranda smiled, "Sure."

Harima said, "You go on ahead. I think I can finish it."

Erika viewed the comic and asked, "You're doing this?"

She huffed, "That's crafty, but it's not invigorating and it lacks style… A True Warrior must focus on battle, and not of silly activities, whenever a crisis is concerned."

Miranda barked, "Cut him some slack, Eri! He has to finish his comic, real soon, when he returns to Japan. It's natural for him."

Erika said, "Is that so?"

He replied, "It's fine. I'll be heading out, in a bit. You tell Rich Girl and the others I'll be fine."

Erika smiled and said, "Sure. Enjoy your funnies."

Miranda scolded, "Eri! Be nice!"

Erika huffed, "If Haruna didn't translate it…"

They left, as Harima continued his comic. He then said, "A dragon… It could be a great idea… but why did Miranda have a sudden shake of fear? She never met a dragon before… Or has she?"

On the deck, Miranda was viewing the ocean. She was lost in thought, completely uneasy.

"Why did I say a dragon?" She said in worry, "Sara fought a dragon and mythical beasts… but… Well, father fought them, too. I'm… I'm nowhere near their echelon of great heroes!"

She swelled in tears and said, "I only defeated a sorceress and evil warlock… but never beasts, unless you count that Cave Monster, during my first adventure. But a dragon?"

She started to cry, "Me and my sodding mouth! WAH! I am such an idiot!"

She continued to cry, as Haruna was sitting by the mast, meditating, but hardly making progress. Miranda's blubbering was too loud for her. She got up and barked, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU BABY?"

Miranda wiped her tears and said, "Sorry… But… A dragon…"

"A what?" Haruna asked, "Miranda, did you suddenly have sudden memories of Zubu?"

"No. It's because…"

She explained that her sister and father fought a dragon before, and she hasn't, but she suddenly blurted out that she wanted to use a dragon for Harima's comic. And then, she had a sudden chill, knowing that it felt like it may happen.

"When I said that, it felt like it is destiny…" she explained, "I… I don't know…"

Haruna nodded, as Miranda sobbed again. Haruna spoke, "Well, I believe you. Whenever I feel a sudden chill… it means that there may be trouble, in any form."

"Really?"

"Yes. It is said, not by Father, that one hero expecting a fierce task and surprising challenges may come out victorious, depending on the current event. In other words, there is a possibility that a dragon is on your way, and with your bloodline, it may or may not happen."

Miranda then said, as she stopped crying, "You're right… But it just felt like it may happen. I'm not like Sara, after all."

Haruna hugged her and said, "It's okay. Erika, Nick, Kandy, and Emily are here for you. And you need to forget about your constant worries. After all, you have bested all the evil, and you're better than that."

Miranda smiled, and then left. Haruna then sighed in relief, "Good. The last thing I wanted is to see you cry, again and again."

She then sensed the view, where the boat was going to, as she suddenly felt uneasy.

"But… Miranda's hunch may be correct. Having Harima and Eri by her side may be a tricky maneuver… but also idiotic. She could be right. I have a feeling that this will be our biggest challenge yet, and we don't even have to train."

The boat continued to sail, as the sun started to slowly set.

XXXXX

But someone was already at the island. It was Sam, Mick, and Mary Lane. They were waiting for Miranda and the others to arrive, before Helen would appear.

"Explain to me why we should wait for Maynard and her friends…" Mick said.

Mary Lane said nothing. She turned away and was confident. However, she felt angry, after recently, since Helen was entering the island, and finding the Ultimate Darkness Amulet.

"Darn. I wish I stole that map," she thought, "But I should be able to move them off my trail and take it for my own. Helen cannot win… I don't believe her, for one second, of making the countryside shrouded in darkness."

Mick then said, "Just remember to know your place, Remington. Otherwise, the boss will turn on you for disobeying his orders."

Mary Lane shouted, "I don't need a pint-size twerp telling me my place! I can stand on my own and best the every likes of you!"

She calmed down and said, "But look at me… I'm becoming a nervous wreck. Why on earth would she do this? That bum, Shawn, told me to be at her beckon. But the last time I met him, he told me to work for him… I wouldn't, since it offends me rep."

"Maybe you haven't the brass to be heartless."

"What?"

"You heard me! You're nothing but an emotional wreck."

Mary Lane snarled, as she turned around. She was about to strike, but Samuel stood in front of her. He grunted, as Mary stepped back.

"At least, you're gentlemen-like, Samuel."

They waited, as Mary Lane had to sit by a tree. She called out, "I'm going to take a nap! You see Maynard and his boyfriend, wake me! If it is Helen, go on without me!"

She dozed off, as Sam and Mick headed off. As they left the small area, Mary Lane opened her right eye and grinned. She said in a silent voice, "Bloody fools. I'll wait until they are far from my sight, and then I'll make a dash for the cave."

She was playing possum, but she then yawned. She moaned, "Man… I haven't had a wink, since last night. Stupid robot… She made me stay up, after I threatened her."

She then fell asleep.

But little does she know… trouble was about to begat.

Next time: "Land HO!"