The Creatures Search, a C3/DS Fanfic :D

[Swix]

(This is unfinished, so I will be updating it quite a lot, also I'm transferring it from a notebook onto here.

I've moved this from A2K and hopefully there'll be some updates for you all. Bear in mind I'm writing three characters histories as well as this though . Enjoy... But be prepared as it is very long )

Disclaimer: I do not own Creatures, that is the property of Gameware and Creature Labs and is therefore copyright to them, but the characters within this fic are my own creation (apart from the Lone Shee, obviously), so if you want to use them for anything, please ask first (I will probably say yes anyway, it would just be nice to know)

Prologue:

The Lone shee had an idea. He decided to attach his Warp Portals in strategic places around Capillatta, to try and warp all of his ship by itself and make his journey easier. It was a success, sort of. his ship did warp, but it didn't warp together, he had to wait several days before Capillatta was back together again, pieces had 'gone missing' in his experiment, and the living ship was not happy. When the Capillatta was finally back together, he checked it from top to bottom. To his dismay, many of his Norns, Ettins and Grendels had gone missing, as well as a lot of his gadgets. He decided to never try that again, as the risk he knew now, was far too great, maybe next time he'd be in part of the ship that mysteriously disappeared? He dismantled his experiment and continued his journey, though he mourned for his lost pets, he could not find them anywhere.

Some of the creatures that had disappeared ended up in space, some in a dangerous, chemical soup of a sea, some of the poor creatures ended up in a sun.
But the rest of them ended up scattered on various inhabitable planets, starting their lives away from the Shee. For the first time they were independent, and had to adapt for themselves. They were truly alone.

After many generations, and the tales of a highly intelligent being that had once taken pity on them passed into their myths, they survive. And they have evolved to be far more intelligent than the Shee ever dreamed they could be.

The Story:

Indy was a plain ChiChi Norn, and although highly intelligent other norns and even Ettins sometimes did not take him seriously. Although his decision to wear his hair long probably didn't help either. His announcement today had brought many Norns, Ettins and even the friendly Grendels to his open air court (basically a huge front garden with a podium at one end, on which he was currently standing). But he knew most of them had only come to laugh at him. He held up his hand, and there was silence.

"Ladies and gentlemen of all species, you know I believe the myths are true...
"That's because you're a plain old dumb ChiChi" piped up someone from within the crowd.
"Yes, well, that aside, the myths say we travelled through space once, on a huge ship. Some say it was alive, some didn't. However, I and my colleagues have been working on a ship of our own..."
There was a general moan, making Indy sigh in exasperation.
"In order to ensure our success we have combined our knowledge, what truths and hints we can find in myths and the relics from our past that have scattered here. We are nearing completion and wish to recruit volunteers to help run the ship when it is in space. I believe there may exist other planets where other Norns have been scattered"
A wave of laughter rippled through the crowd, as well as cries of "Get a life", "Write a book" and "Why don't you do something useful, for once?", before the crowd dispersed. No-one was left. Indy sighed and stepped down.
"Aem, Aem where are you?"
He called for the leader of the Ettin colony that lived with him, his best friend and helper. She moved silently towards him from the tree she had been standing next to.
"it didn't work, Aem"
"It was worth a try"
"They just laughed, just like last time"
"Maybe they'll be more receptive after it's finished"
"I really hope you're right Aem"
"I'm always right"
Aem put on her biggest cheesy grin and walked off.

"Hey! Hey!"
A male Estrella/Alien cross Norn yelled out into the sea until several blue Norns heads poked up out of the water.
"What is it?"
"Indy's up to his tricks again. Now he wants us to think he's gonna help us get into space, like in the myth. As if he could"
Most of the Aquanorns burst out laughing, except for one female, who looked more thoughtful.
"And, he wants volunteers for it, as if anyone’s that dumb!"
The thoughtful female spoke.
"Where can I find this Indy?"
"Oh, just go straight forward from the beach, he lives in the largest house you see. Why? You going to have a word with him?"
"Something like that"
With that, she sank below the surface.

Anzu nervously knocked on the impressive and intimidating Norn home that belonged to the handsome speaker she'd seen earlier. She was a ChiChi/Gargoyle cross, with Gargoyle arms, wings and long tail, and the rest of her was ChiChi. She was just about to turn round when the door was opened by a bouncy young Ettin.
"Hi, welcome, come in, take a seat. I'll get Indy for you. I know what you're here for"
Aem bustled around the bemused female Norn, leading her into a living room full of multi-coloured cushions.
"Sit down, I'll go get Indy"
"O-Kay, thanks"
Anzu said, flustered, and flopped down onto the cushions as the Ettin ran off. She returned a little later with Indy by her side, and then promptly ran off again.
"Hi, Aem says you're here as a volunteer?"
He said with a hopeful note in his voice and look in his eye.
"Umm, well, actually I haven't said anything to your little Ettin friend"
"Oh, " his face dropped like a stone "well, in that case who are you here to see?"
"I'm here to see you, about the volunteering. Just like she suggested. Oh, and the name's Anzu"
She watched his face light up again, and it became more handsome as it did so.
"Well, in that case welcome aboard Anzu. I know you know my name. The Ettins called Aem"
"Thanks"
There was another knock, this one being short and precise, yet insistent, "I'll get it this time Aem" yelled Indy before bolting, and hastily opening it.
"What can I do for..."
Indy stopped, he stared. Standing in front of him (if it could be called standing) was an adult female Aquanorn. This was not strange in itself, Aquanorns often ventured onto land. But this one had a strange, cage like, metal and material device attached to her tail, with at least eight wheels.
She raised an eyebrow.
"When you're quite finished staring at me, Indy, I'd like to become a volunteer in your little scheme. I'm a biological scientist and my name is Bentakumari"
Indy managed to regain his composure.
"Very well, Bentakumari, come in and meet the others"
Indy stepped aside in order to let her in. She moved her tail as though she was swimming, and the strange machine responded by going forward, so Bentakumari moved at the same speed and just as easily as any Norn with legs. Indy followed after her.
Anzu hastily got up off the cushions once she saw the aquanorn enter, while Aem, who had been chatting with Anzu while Indy was a the door, stayed where she was, looking completely unfazed by Bentakumaris strange appearance.
Indy moved next to the aquanorn.
"Bentakumari, meet Anzu" he gestured to ChiChi/Gargoyle cross "and Aem" gesturing to the female Ettin "We're currently the only volunteers"
Bentakumari nodded in response to Anzu and Aem, before asking bluntly:
"So, what are you all bringing to the mission?"
Anzu was slightly taken aback, so Aem piped up first:
"I bring my technological knowledge, the results of my species prodding and pulling apart gadgets we came across"
"Mm-hmm" the scientist nodded "and what about you?"
"Well, I'm not really sure. I thought maybe a scout. My wings are very helpful for that sort of thing"
"i'm the pilot" Indy cut in "and we'll be joined by more Ettins than just Aem, they designed the ship after all, and they’ll keep it running efficiently. Hopefully we'll be joined by more Norns, and if I'm lucky, a Grendel, before we're ready to leave"
This time it was Aem who looked terrified.
"A Grendel?" she stammered "Are you mad, Indy? Do you know how much they dislike us Ettins?"
"But Aem, we may need one, in case we get into trouble. And I want to introduce the rest of space to all of us, even Grendels"
"Hrrrmmpff"
Aem folded her Ettin arms and pouted, unhappy but knowing Indy had a point.
"Eem rly ekilsid grndl, etn scared..."
She muttered. Indy rolled his eyes.
"Fine Aem, I won't let any 'unfriendly to Ettin' Grendels come"
Aem brightened slightly, but not too much.
"Now," Indy said "the ship won't be ready for another..." his eyes slid to Aem "Two weeks" she finished for him.”By that time we will hopefully have some more volunteers. So if you'd all like to come back at 9:00 am then, we can officially start the mission. The Ettins have started an advertising scheme already today. But feel free to come check on us"
Indy got up and walked to the door. He held it open for them to leave.
"Bye Anzu"
"Bye Indy"
"Take care Bentakumari"
"I'll try"
"o-Kay...Aem, where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going to talk to Anzu. I'll see you later"
"Okay"
Indy sighed and closed the door.

After a week, and despite the Ettins and Indy's attempts at advertising, still no-one came. The ship was almost finished, and taking up most of Indy's back garden, but no-one seemed to care very much, or at all. Indy couldn't say he blamed then sometimes, the Ettins methods were strange. Their main form of adverts was to fill the streets with flyers by dropping them on the floor!
About halfway through the second week there was a very loud knock on the door. Indy opened it, and looked straight into the face of a female Dusky Grendel, with Boney Grendel arms.
"Don't look so shocked" she said briskly, and Indy realised he was staring "You wanted a Grendel volunteer, right? Well, you got one. The name's Grarg"
She then turned and walked away before Indy could say anything. He didn't know who he was more apprehensive of, her or Bentakumari.
Aem came downstairs and joined Indy, who hadn't yet shut the door, and stared with him at the retreating Grendels back.
"Is she coming with us?"
"Yes"
"Does she like Ettins?"
"Err...yes"
"You didn't ask her, did you?"
"I didn't get a chance to say anything. Besides, it’s made abundantly clear in your posters that lots of Ettins are coming! I don't think she'd have come here if she didn't like you lot"
"Oh" Aem put both hands round her mouth and yelled as loud as she could "We leave in three days" to the Grendel.
Grarg simply raised one of her Boney Grendel arms in response.
"I kinda like her"
Aem said, making Indy look down at her with a strange expression on his face.
"Honestly, Aem"
"What?"
Indy closed the door even as Aem continued.
"Seriously Indy, what?"

Draco the Draconian Norn scratched his horned head. This map was confusing. Ever since a flyer had hit him in the face about some sort of space journey he'd been looking for the village of Capil-on-Sea, but as far as he was concerned there was no sea. All he could see on every side of him were trees, and they all looked the same. To top it off, the path had either mysteriously disappeared or he hadn't noticed where he'd been walking.
"Hmm, which way do I go? Forwards, backwards, left or right?"

Albairn watched the Draconian from his perch in a tree. His Alien Norn genes gave him the ability to listen to 'loud' thoughts, or telepathic conversation, but not to send thoughts of his own. Currently the Norn below him was thinking very loudly, as well as talking to himself.
'Now, do I try to find the path, go back the way I came, or play eeny meeny miny mo catch the Bengal with the trees? No, that's no good. You'd have thought a place called Capil-on-Sea would have water somewhere near it. And I've only got two days left before the ship leaves'
Albairn couldn't stand it any longer, so he dropped down from the branch right in front of Draco, revealing his Alien/Bengal appearance. He had an Alien Norns head, tail and legs, with Bengal arms and body.

Draco jumped as the strange mix of orange, black stripes, red with white spots, green fur and red mohawk dropped down in front of him.
"I hear you're looking for Capil-on-Sea, follow me"
It said, then turned and started walking away. Draco shrugged and followed the Norn. After ten minutes of silent travel, they emerged into bright sunlight and a bustling village.
"Here you go, I think I'll come with you to Indy's. I believe he's the one running the space mission, I've been thinking about going myself"
"How'd you..."
Draco said, but it was too late, the other Norn was off again. Draco hurried to catch up.
He caught up to the strange Norn just as the door to the house he'd been trying to get to for a week opened. Peering at them through the door was a bouncy young female Ettin.
"Hi"
She said.
"Err...hi?"
"Hi"
Draco and Albairn said together. Somehow, Draco had been expecting a Norn to answer, not an Ettin. Albairn smiled, and asked:
"Is Indy in?"
"Yes, I am"
A plain male ChiChi Norn with long hair answered as he approached them.
"Aem, why don't you invite..."
"Albairn, and this is Draco"
"Invite Albairn and Draco in"
Aem the Ettin moved aside so they could pass, then closed the door. The Norn named Indy led the way into the sitting room with the multi-coloured cushions, and sat down on one of them himself. Albairn and Draco followed suit while Aem disappeared.
"I believe we both want to be volunteers"
Draco began, as Albairn grinned yet again.
"Very well, and what attributes do you two bring?"
"I'm a good fighter. I can help if anyone gets into trouble"
Draco answered, now it was Albairns turn.
"I'm good at sneaking around, scouting through trees and stuff"
"Hmm... You'd be able to see things our other scout wouldn't"
"Yes, I'm also telepathic"
He said, as if it were an afterthought. There was a shocked silence, until Draco exclaimed:
"So that's how you knew where I wanted to go"
Albairn nodded.
"And how to get here?"
Another nod.
"And my name, and what I came here for, and that Indy was in. And even that I wanted to speak first when we came in!"
Albairn nodded to all of them, before speaking:
"You were thinking so loud sometimes I thought my head was gonna explode. I can only 'hear' loud thoughts you see, and other telepaths conversations. I can't hear quiet thoughts however, or join in telepathic talk"
"Yes, you both would be very helpful to us. We're having a little 'get together' tomorrow, just before we leave, in order to introduce ourselves to each other"
Indy explained, Draco protested
"But, we don't have anywhere to stay! I didn't make any bookings or calls or anything!"
"You can stay here"
Piped up Aem, apparently she'd walked in earlier and sat down with the rest of them, yet no-one had noticed. Even Albairn looked surprised. Indy shot a look at her
"What? It's not like you don't have the room. Besides, the other Creatures'll dislike you even more if they ever found out you kicked your volunteers out"
"But... Ok, Aem, while I'm positive every hotel and inn around is not fully booked, I'll let then stay here. Anyway we won't be living on the ground anymore for a while"
Aem beamed, while Albairn and Draco asked Indy where they would sleep and when the pre-lift off meeting would begin.
"About 9 in the morning is when everyone should start arriving. Make yourselves at home till then"

8:30 the next morning:

"Morning Aem"
"Morning Indy"
"What's for breakfast?"
"Whatever you want as long as you get it yourself"
Aem said, and sat down at the table as Draco walked downstairs. She began to look annoyed and slightly disturbed. Indy turned around to put his bowl of porridge down but stopped and stared.
"Umm... Draco?"
Indy began, Draco spat out the bone he'd been chewing into his right hand.
"What? You never seen a Draconian enjoy a bone before? It's perfectly normal"
"No, it's not that... Draco, you didn't, shall we say, go exploring last night, did you?"
"No...Why?"
"It's attached to your claw"
Draco looked down. On his left hand, attached to one of his finger claws, was an Ettin doll.
"Hey! That's mine! Give it back!"
Screeched Aem, even before Draco's scales went red tinged. She snatched the doll from him and started examining it for damage.
"Umm... I dunno where that came from, honest. What's for breakfast?"
The Draconian quickly changed the subject and started rummaging around in the cupboards as Albairn crashed down the stairs. He got up and brushed himself off. Albairn looked haggard, unkempt and had bags under his eyes.
"What happened to you?"
"Ettins"
Albairn answered Indy as he staggered and sat down. Aem peered at him over her doll.
"What do you mean, Ettins?"
"You have a whole colony of them living here with you. That was all I could hear, all night in my head. Metal this, wires that, tools everywhere, they even dreamed about it. I didn't get any sleep at all. The only peace I got was when they made this 'big plan' to steal Aems doll and put it in Draco’s hand. Oh, I see you found it"
Albairn nodded in Aems direction, and a muffled "I told you" was heard from Draco as he stuffed his face full of cold meat cuts.
"Oh, and by the way Indy, one of them has got your juice-maker. Something about making the blades faster"
Albairns mohawked head started to droop.

9:00 am:
Aem stared at the door. She'd been standing there for ten minutes, even while the others tried to keep her away. There was a knock and Aem flung the door open, making Anzu, who still had her hand raised, stagger in.
"Oh, hi Aem. What were you doing, standing behind the door waiting for us?"
"Something like that. They're in the living room. Bentakumari and Grarg aren't here yet though. Go on through"
Aem watched Anzu as she walked down the hall to make sure she went to the right room. Then turned round to see Bentakumari 'standing' in the doorway.
"Hi Bentakumari"
"Good morning, Aem"
"They're in the living room"
"Thank you. I assume I'll be seeing you in there?"
"Yup. As soon as I let the final person in"
"Very well"
Bentakumari swam past Aem, who waited by the door for about ten minutes before the Dusky Grendel Grarg showed up.
"Morning. Where's the meeting?"
Grarg said to Aem, who sported a nervous grin.
"Through there. Now you're here everyone's here. I'll be right behind you"

Grarg nodded and walked in. Aem followed quite a way behind, as Grargs tail was rather long.
They entered the huge living room, Grarg sat down a little way away from the Norns and the large group of Ettins that shared the room with them. Aem went and sat next to her kin.
"Now everyone's here" Indy began "and since one of our little Ettin friends so kindly installed a timer and activated it, to the ships engines we only have enough time for introductions. My name is Indy, as you all know, and I will be the pilot of the ship"
Aem decided to go next. She raised her hand to get everyone's attention.
"My name is Aem, and these are my kin. They are too many to name right now, but they will be coming with us. I am the engineer"
"My name is Anzu and I will be the scout by air"
"My name is Bentakumari and I am a biological scientist"
"My name is Draco and I will be the security officer"
"My name is Albairn and I am a telepath. I will be the scout by land and can help with dealing with difficult entities"
Everyone turned to look at Grarg, who hadn't spoken at all. She licked her lips nervously.
"My name is Grarg and I will be going as a representative of my species. I am an artist and map maker"
Everyone's expectant looks rapidly changed to surprised ones, whilst Grargs changed from nervous to annoyed.
"What? You thought because I was a Grendel, I would rather be fighting things than doing something useful? How're you gonna greet other beings if you can't even let go of your own prejudices?!"
Grarg had a fierce look in her eye, that dared them to challenge her. Indy shook of his shock and surprise before urgently reminding them:
"We need to get on the ship now, or it'll take off without us. Come, let's leave"
Indy got up and walked out the door, the others followed him. One by one they left Indy's house and entered the equally large ship that was sat in his back garden.
Indy walked to the front part of the tear drop shape, the bridge, and sat down at the pilot controls. Aem sat next to him at the engineering controls while the other Ettins disappeared somewhere around the ship. Aem turned round.
"Science controls are over there, security is over there, as for the rest of you I suggest you sit down and hold tight"
She pointed to the left and behind them, and to the right and behind them.
Draco sat down sat down while Bentakumari lifted herself precariously from her land-vehicle into her seat.
Grarg, Albairn and Anzu sat in three seats at the back. They all strapped webbing around themselves.
"Everyone secure?"
Indy asked, though not really expecting an answer, as Aem started a countdown.
"5...4...3...2...1... Here we go"
The entire ship shuddered as the engines beneath it fired up, charring all of what used to be Indy's huge garden to a crisp. It started shaking violently as it was propelled with great force straight up. It suddenly jerked backwards, in order to make sure the tear dropped ship would have as little resistance as possible when escaping the atmosphere.
"Errrr...Iiiiiinnnnndyyy?"
Aem said, her voice shaking in time with the ship.
"Whaaat?"
"We've gooot trrroouuubble"
She worked at her console to make what she was seeing appear on Indy's screen. It showed their as a tear drop shaped blob, moving upwards, whilst above it and moving down were smaller, more irregular sized ones.
"Aeeemmm whaaat arrre theeeyyy?"
"They're meteorites! You have to take control of the ship!"
Indy didn't need telling more than once. His fingers worked rapidly at the buttons, before a panel slid away and out popped a double handled joystick. Indy grabbed the two handles and watched the now slightly smaller screen on the top of his console. Unfortunately the fact that the walls of the bridge that separated them from the atmosphere outside were made of a completely clear material didn't help. They'd launched on a very cloudy day.
"Hold on"
Indy said as he suddenly jerked the controller back, the ship tilted backwards even more, and as they came through the clouds and entered the upper atmosphere they were greeted with the view of many more space rocks. The ship jerked in all different directions as Indy narrowly avoided colliding with them.

Finally they were free, and the view of rocks shooting past them perilously close was replaced by a dazzlingly clear view of billions of stars. Indy then turned the ship around so it was facing their own little planet, they could see the flashes of brilliant white as the rocks burned up. There was a collective gasp of awe as they stared at their green, blue and white planet.
"Wow" Indy breathed "it's so beautiful"
"Did anyone ever name it?"
Aem asked no-one in particular. Bentakumari was the one who answered her.
"No, no-one ever thought it important enough to name it. It was just home"
"How about Nornia?"
Aem and Grarg both turned to glare at Draco, who squirmed
"Oops... Sorry..."
"New Albia?"
Albairn suggested
"No, that doesn't fit"
Indy said, scratching his head. What could they call their home?
"How about New Sphericus? After the planet in the myth?"
Grarg piped up. Of course, that was a great name. Aem turned to Grarg and pointed to a console in the wall.
"That's the mapping station. It's simple enough to use, it records all the star formations and planets that we've been, and will be going to. I'm sure your mapmaking skills will come in very handy"
Grarg nodded, unstrapping herself and moving to the console, she got to work.
The door that led from the bridge to the rest of the ship hissed open, and a male Ettin could be seen could be seen standing there.
"Um... is everyone ok?"
He asked, twiddling his fingers.
"KEHM!" Aem yelled, unstrapping herself from her seat "You and your stupid timer almost got us killed! We had to lift off through a meteor shower thanks to you... Hey, get back here!"
Kehm made himself scarce, rapidly disappearing down the corridors. Aem jumped out of her seat and followed him, her voice could be heard as she, too, rapidly disappeared.
"I'm not done ranting at you yet, Kehm!"

Bentakumari worked at her console, and remarked
"it is fortunate Aem and the others have taught me how to use this instrument, or I would be completely stumped now"
"Yeah, speaking of that, what am I, Anzu and Albairn supposed to do while we're out in space? I mean, there's not much for a security guard and two scouts to do right now"
"You may as well go and explore the ship, Draco. You'll need to be familiar with it. Grargs mapping, Bentakumaris gathering as much information as she can about our home, Aems dealing with Kehm then she'll probably start checking every system on the ship, and I've gotta steer it. But I'm sure you'll find plenty of Ettins about who'll be more than happy to give you directions"
Draco nodded, unstrapped himself and stood up, Anzu and Albairn did the same, and all three of them walked off the bridge and down the corridor together.
"So" Anzu said "where shall we go?"
"Anywhere we want, according to Indy"
"I don't think that's quite what he meant"
Albairn answered. His head was still pounding from the Ettins thoughts last night, hopefully this time he'd have somewhere far, far away from them to sleep. His mohawk was bedraggled and he had bags under his eyes.
"Let's try through here"
Anzu opened a door to their right and entered, but stopped as suddenly as the floor did, giving way to what looked like a large tank of very deep water. Draco didn't see until it was too late, bumping into Anzu and knocking her into the water. Albairn bumped into Draco, who pulled the telepath in with him.
"Hey, Draconians don't like water very much, you know"
Draco said indignantly, trying desperately to keep his head above water whilst Anzu sank beneath the surface like a streamlined rock.
Albairn grabbed Draco and pulled him to the edge, onto the dry floor. While Draco coughed and sputtered Albairn looked desperately for any sign of Anzu, as he couldn't hear her thoughts.
"We gotta tell Bentakumari"
Albairn said, and without waiting for a response, grabbed Dracos arm and ran back to the bridge, dragging the other Norn all the way.
"Bentaku...mari"
He panted when he reached the bridge. Bentakumari turned to face them in her seat, raising an eyebrow at their drenched fur and scales.
"Have you three been in the Aquatics room? Wait, where's Anzu?"
"She sank. We knocked each other in by accident and she just... sank"
Draco answered, getting his breath back. Bentakumari was instantly on her machine, hurrying out the door. Albairn and Draco followed her.
"She's half Gargoyle, so there is a 50 per cent chance she can breathe water, but there's also a 50 per cent chance she can't"
Bentakumari explained as they hurried to and through the door. The Aquanorn launched herself out of her contraption and into the water, swimming down as fast as her fish tail could take her.

Anzu was sinking fast, away from the others and the surface. She couldn't swim and it seemed she couldn't float either. She held her breath as she sank, she didn't know if she could breathe water or not. As she touched the bottom she couldn't hold her breath any longer. She opened her mouth and instinctively breathed in, taking in a great lungful of water. She thought she would drown.
But she didn't. She breathed out, then she breathed in again. But breathing out seemed somehow different, like she was sifting through the water. It was more difficult than breathing air.
Then she saw a hand, followed by a blue Norns head with a small pink fin on top. It was Bentakumari. Anzu grasped the Aquanorns hand, and Bentakumari attempted to swim upwards with her, but Anzu was too heavy.
"You have to help me, Anzu, use your wings. Move them like the rays do in the ocean, or I won't be able to get you out of here"
Anzu tried to say 'yes' but only bubbles came out of her mouth, so instead she nodded and started moving her wings. Slowly, precisely and in a sort of undulating manner. Bentakumari immediately felt the pressure on her tail ease as she swam upwards with Anzu.
Eventually they broke the surface and were joined by Albairn, who'd dived in to help Anzu get to the edge and onto the solid floor. He and Bentakumari struggled over to the edge where Draco was waiting for them, and hauled the distraught Norn out as she coughed up mouthfuls of water. Albairn and Bentakumari both pulled themselves out after her. But everyone was very surprised when Indy skidded to a halt in the room, looking both extremely concerned and slightly out of breath.
"Is she okay?"
He asked as he walked over to where the others had gathered round the ChiChi/Gargoyle.
"Anzu, are you okay?"
He asked as he knelt next to her, looking her in the face.
"I-I'll be okay, thanks to Bentakumari and Draco and Albairn"
Their eyes met for a brief moment, before Bentakumari interrupted.
"May I enquire as to who's flying the ship?"
"It's okay Bentakumari, the ships using our home's pull to stay in one place. Come with me, Anzu, I'll take you to your room"
Indy helped Anzu up and walked out, Bentakumari followed and then went back to the bridge. Albairn and Draco glanced at each other before following Indy.
"Hey, wait up! I...a-a-achoo!"
Draco called, then started sneezing, so Albairn finished the sentence for him.
"I think we both need to dry off before we all catch cold"
"Very well. The rooms are right next to each other anyway. Come on"
"The Ettins, too?"
"No, they insisted that their rooms be put right next to Engineering. Ours are on the opposite side of the ship"
"Thank Shee"
Albairn sighed in relief as they approached the row of bedroom doors, all of which had names engraved on them. Indy, Aem, Anzu, Bentakumari, Grarg, Albairn and Draco.
"I assume I don't need to tell where to go from here" Indy said with a cheeky grin "I suggest you get some rest. I'm going to check on a few things. We'll leave tomorrow. I'm sure Grarg and Bentakumari will have enough time to do what they need and rest themselves up by then"
Anzu, Albairn and Draco all gave nods of acknowledgement before entering their respective rooms.

Grarg was frustrated. Space was three dimensional, not two, so she couldn't accurately map out anything. She thumped the console out of her frustration, creating a small dent.
"You will not help yourself or your task by destroying your instrument"
Bentakumari stated before swimming over to Grargs side.
"What is the problem?"
"This task is impossible. You cannot make a three dimensional map with a two dimensional screen. There's a planet below us, some space rocks above us and I can't put them on my map"
Grarg growled, as the Aquanorn thought for a minute then tapped a button. Suddenly a large, round black sphere floated in the middle of the bridge, showing the line of planets, rocks and stars Grarg had put on it already.
"How'd you do that?"
"This button here. It's a holographic projector. It'll help you make a 3D map"
"Great, now I can actually finish my work"

"How many times do I have to tell you, Kehm, no matter how fast you make the blades go round, you won't levitate. You're too heavy. Now help me with this Jump engine"
Aem said, exasperatedly, after having given him a thorough talking to about his timer, Aem had enlisted the males help with checking the systems.
The Jump engine was her favourite achievement. Just like the Shee's Warp Portals, it would warp the ship to a completely different place in space. With three major differences. The first, was that they could almost control where they ended up, the second, is that they wouldn't end up in a different time, and third was once they arrived at a place they would be able to go back there easily and whenever they wished.
"Fuel checks out, conduits are clean, and temp is ok"
Kehm said, looking disappointed. But Aem knew why.
"Look, I'm not saying your timer was a bad gadget, or a bad idea, I'm just saying that you could've picked a better time to use it. The Norns and the Grendel would've hardly known each other even without the unexpected time limit, but your trick just made it worse"
"Ok, Aem, whatever you say"
"Now let's go check the rest of the ship"

Draco tossed and turned. Why had Indy told them to go to bed so early? Albairn and Anzu definitely needed it. But why him too? He sneezed violently. Oh, yeah, that was why. Maybe if he got enough rest today, he wouldn't feel this bad tomorrow. Draco redoubled his efforts to rest.

The next morning:
They were all strapped into their seats again. Grarg and Bentakumari both seemed satisfied with their work, and Aem was adamant everything worked, so it was time to leave. Grarg now had her own seat in seat in front of the mapping station, the Ettins had put it there after she'd gone to bed and now she used the station to bring the hologram up again. This time though, it was filled with stars, meteors, and blacker than black dots. She zoomed in so they could see their own, six planeted system, its space rocks and even a tiny model of their own tear drop ship.
"Which way do you wanna go?"
Draco asked, knowing how it felt not to have a specific direction in mind.
"Doesn't matter, we can go everywhere"
Grarg zoomed the map out again and spun it, then she pointed a claw to a random star on the edge.
"How about this direction?"
"Fair enough"
Indy worked at his console, then hit one of the larger buttons. The ship disappeared from normal space.

They were all hurtling through the Warp at extreme velocity, being pressed back into their seats. After half a minute the ship reappeared in normal space.

Albairns head spun yet again, except this time it was not just Ettin voices he was hearing. Every Creature, every alien, every living being that was thinking loudly, or communicating via thought he could hear. But there was one slightly louder, but much smaller thought compared to the seething mass of others, and this one was constant. Something bothered him about it, but he wasn't sure what it was. Indy's voice bit into his brain like a piranha.
"How far away are we?"
"We can make it to the nearest planet cluster without you doing that again"
Grarg growled, pointing to where this place and they were on the map. Indy started manouvering the ship to reach this place. Albairn shook his head, trying to clear it of what had just invaded it, while Draco had a sneezing fit.
"There are two planets on the system you indicated. Two have air we can breathe. One seems full of toxic and poisonous plants and liquid, while the other one is bare. One has life but the other doesn't..."
Bentakumari stopped her monologue and stared at her console, while Anzu seemed to be trying to extend her neck further than it could go, to try and see over the biologists shoulders.
"What's the matter?"
She finally asked. Bentakumari shook her head, worked at her console, then shook it again.
"This cannot be right"
"All our systems are working fine"
Aem said indignantly, taking Bentakumaris comment as an insult.
"The one that has life is the Toxic planet"
"Aliens?"
Grarg asked. Bentakumari shook her head again.
"No, Norns, and Ettins"

While Indy was just as shocked as the others, he couldn't afford to take his concentration off his controls, just in case they encountered any more space rocks. He manouvered the ship past the five other planets until he was next to the one he knew the biologist had been on about. He knew without even having to look at Grargs map. Why? Because he could see the atmosphere from here, and it didn't look healthy. It looked like the sort of mushy green slop that you could find in unhealthy ponds.
"Err...are you absolutely certain we can breathe that?"
Indy asked tentatively.
"We can breathe it, but I would not recommend going down there if you have a cut or even a graze, as it would get infected very easily"
Draco sneezed again, loudly. Bentakumari shot a look at him.
"Nor would I recommend going down there when you already have an illness, a secondary infection from that planet whilst your body tries to fight off the first could kill you"
"But..."
"No buts" the Aquanorn wagged a warning finger at him "you should not even be up here. You're lucky I haven't dragged you back to bed myself"
Draco doubted she had the strength to drag a Draconian anywhere, then again, that machine of hers might just give her an edge over him. Behind him, Albairn smirked, Draco was easier to read then a hatchlings first book.
"Anywhere clear enough for me to land?"
Indy asked, redirecting everyone's attention. Grarg zoomed to the planet on the holographic map, while Aem and the biologist worked at their consoles. Soon, about four or five flashing patches appeared on the hologram.
"I see several places flat and clear enough for us"
Aem said, then waited for the biologists input.
"I agree with Aem on that, but only one of them has solid enough ground. This one"
Now only one patch remained, smack in the middle of a huge continent.
"Okay, time to make our entrance"
Indy steered and tilted the ship down slightly. They were gradually getting lower and lower through the atmosphere, the poisonous clouds brushed past the tear dropped ship. No matter what Bentakumari said, every single one of them was nervous. The ship came to a soft, but disturbingly squelchy, halt.
Indy turned around to face them all, his face very serious.
"Anzu, Albairn, since you're the scouts you two go out first, but make sure you're always within sight of each other. After you come back, I want you both to come with me, Aem, Grarg and Bentakumari. Draco, you stay here, protect the Ettins and don't let anyone on board unless one of us tells you to. I know you want to come, but you're ill, and you'd be much more useful to us here anyway."
They all nodded, even Draco, though he couldn't make up his mind on what sort of expression to wear.
Anzu and Albairn unstrapped themselves, got up and started to make their way to the door, before Aem called to them to stop.
"Wait, take these" she threw two circular gadgets at them "you can talk to us with them"
They caught them and resumed their way out. When they reached the door through which they'd previously entered, a couple of adult Ettins were waiting for them, peering at them with both worried, and puzzled, expressions.
"You're not really going out there, are you?"
One of them asked. Anzu answered while Albairn desperately tried to block out the Ettins thoughts.
"We are. We're the scouts, it's our job. We'll be back soon though"
"Good luck"
The other Ettin opened the door for them, and a foul smell crept in. When they were clear of the door, the Ettin pair hurriedly closed them.
Anzu couldn't say she blamed them, the stench was disgusting. It reminded her of rotting fruit, pond scum and slowly decaying fish. She lifted her foot up, and to her disgust the ground reluctantly let it go with a sucking sound.
"Ewww... I'm taking to the sky"
Anzu opened her wings wide and took off. Below her, Albairn called 'don't worry about me!' before squidgily making his way from the clearing into the trees.
Anzu made sure she could at least see his fluffy white tail through the foliage, while she lazily moved through the sky, tail outstretched for balance.
She steered clear of the greenish looking clouds though, there was no way she was going through them. The circular object she clutched beeped, making her jump and almost drop it. She stopped, bringing it to her face and pushed the button that clearly said 'answer'. Albairns bright green face appeared on the screen. Anzu wasn't used to all this technology yet, but she was sure she'd get it eventually.
"Let's circle around here then make our way back to the ship"
"K"
Anzu answered, and Albairns face disappeared. She stayed where she was for a while, watching the telepaths spots as he started to circle left. She followed at her previous lazy flight pace, still sure to avoid the poisonous clouds.
When they had completed half their patrol, she saw Albairns trail suddenly change course, before resuming it again a short time afterwards. Anzu completed the rest of the circuit, expecting her communicator to go off again, but it didn't.
She hadn't seen anything overly remarkable, apart from the occasional pool of what looked like toxic waste, and at one point, acid. There was a remarkable amount of animal life living here, as well as plant, though both looked sickly, mutated and diseased. She could almost swear they had extra eyes, or limbs growing out of their backs. Overall they made the place even more creepy.
She pushed the button on the communicator that read 'ship' and Indy's face appeared this time. He smiled at her through the screen.
"Are you two back now?"
"Yes"
"Anything interesting?"
"An acid pool, several toxic waste pools, but nothing much else"
She saw Indy nod, then her screen split into two, showing Albairns face as well as Indy's. The telepath looked excited.
"I've found something!" he exclaimed "There are Norns here! I heard their thoughts. You saw where I changed course, didn't you, Anzu? They're over in that direction"
She nodded, as did Indy, then the ChiChi asked the question that was on all their minds.
"No Ettins?"
"Nope, just Norns. I couldn't see, or hear, any Ettins anywhere"
"Hmmm... Okay, you two stay there, we're coming out"
The communicator went black as both Albairn and Indy turned theirs off. Anzu descended towards the ground as the door that the two Ettins had let them out of earlier once again opened, and Aem, Indy, Bentakumari and Grarg all came out. They moved slowly through the sludge, following Albairn. All except Bentakumari, that is. Her wheels were stuck in the mulch, but she didn't seem to mind. Instead she merely pulled a lever that replaced the eight wheels with eight mechanical legs, and began moving with the others again.
"Anzu" Albairn said as she hovered next to him, unwilling to put her feet on the ground "go and hover towards the area that you saw my path change, we'll follow you as you go. Stop when you get there"
The ChiChi/Gargoyle nodded and flew in that direction, checking behind her every so often as she did so.

Bentakumari scooped up a sample of the sludge they were traipsing through. Rather than being disgusted by this place, she was fascinated. Fascinated by the fact that things, even Norns, could survive in such a repulsive place. She put the test tube inside the device attached to her tail, making sure to put the lid back on first. For once, she was grateful that she didn't have legs, the others feet were getting stuck in the muck, and she had to slow her pace to stop her now eight legged vehicle from shooting ahead of them all.
"Shh"
Albairn said, they must be close. Anzu had stopped and was hovering above them. Bentakumari moved over to a tree and collected a very interesting looking bug. It was similar to a beetle but had eight very long, splayed legs, and a jaw with four mandibles. It was also constantly changing colour. She put it in one of the tubes, and as an afterthought scraped off some of the grit and slime that covered the tree, took out the bug and put the stuff in the tube. She then put the bug on top of it and screwed on a lid that had holes, so the critter could breathe.
"Ewww... You're not touching that stuff, are you?"
Anzu had begun to hover next to the aquanorn, as Albairn had started leading the group.
"I am a biological scientist, Anzu, it is my job to find out how anything has managed to survive here, and what kind of relationship they have with their environment"
"Of all Creatures, you are the only one who doesn't have to touch the stuff, yet you willingly pick it up"
Whilst the irony was not lost on Bentakumari, she did not answer the Gargoyle/ChiChi cross. Everyone had stopped, and she could clearly see why. They were approaching a small clearing, with one side mired in one of the toxic waste pools Anzu had mentioned earlier. It wasn't that that had made them stop though. There were Norns in the toxic waste, some were even drinking it. They were an earthy green and brown colour, though that could very well be because of the filth they were covered in. Bentakumari moved closer eagerly.
"Before anyone goes running in there yelling 'get out, that's dangerous' you might like to know, they're enjoying their bath"
Albairn said, as Indy had been planning on doing just that. Instead, the ChiChi decided they would do what they had set out for. Introduce themselves and learn what they could about this unknown culture.
"Everyone follow my lead. We're not going to be rude watchers anymore"
He stepped out into the open.

Draco paced around the bridge of the ship, sneezing. They only left him here because he was ill, not because they needed him here. What was he supposed to do, just go to sleep until they came back? Surely the Ettins would've been more able to look after the ship themselves, they knew more about it than anyone.
He sat down in his chair, sneezed again, and sat back. Maybe he did need the rest... But that rest was not to come. He heard knocking, constant, thrumming, getting louder and louder. He wished they'd bought something to cure a pounding head.
The male Ettin named Kehm came running with two others, a female called Laie and another male, called Iin.
"Security Officer Draco... what are you doing?"
Kehm asked, looking puzzled.
"I'm waiting for my pounding head to subside or fall off"
"But Draco, that pounding is not in your head, it's coming from outside, below us. Look outside"
Draco did, moving to the clear wall that showed the panorama of rotting trees and filth filled with strange critters, and looked down. Just inches below him an Ettins head started, but this Ettin was strange, as were the others that surrounded the ship, banging on the hull. Apart from being a light shade of green, they looked just like the Ettins on board. But there was something else about them, something different. One of them looked up, seeing him, it raised its fist and started yelling in a language similar to Ettinish, but far more advanced than the Ettin baby talk he was used to, but that didn't make it any easier to understand. The other green Ettins noticed what it was doing, and started copying it. The yelling eventually turned into a chant, and the pounding increased in speed.
"Any idea what they're saying?"
"From what I know of our Ettinish, I'd say it sounds like 'death to the Norns', though they don't say why"
Kehm answered Draco, as he came to look out at them.
"Great, that's just great"
The Draconian said sarcastically, as the Ettins pounding increased in volume.

All the green and brown Norns stopped what they were doing, and stared at the newcomers. It suddenly struck Indy how strange their little group of explorers must seem to them. A purple, long haired Norn, a purple Norn with brown wings and a long tail, a fishlike blue Norn in a weird eight legged machine, an Ettin, and the eye watering mix of colours that was Albairn. Shee only knew what they though of Grarg, as there were no Grendels here.
"Do not be afraid" he started, noticing their expressions "we are explorers. We seek only to introduce ourselves and learn more about others"
He finished, and the whole clearing erupted into advanced Nornish babble. One of the adults disappeared down a muddy hole, then reappeared, dragging a young female and an older male up with her. They conversed in Nornish, ever so often shooting a glance at them, before the two that had been dragged from the hole approached Indy and the rest.
"You speak the Ancient Language"
The younger one stated. Indy was puzzled.
"I do?"
"Yes, you speak the tongue once taught by the Wise One"
"Who?"
Indy's intensely confused expression stopped her from saying anymore, so Bentakumari piped up.
"I believe she may be talking about the Lone Shee"
"Sooo... We're speaking Sheeish?"
"Probably"
The earthy Norn talked in her own language, translating for the elder.
"You bring one of the Gralin with you. We have not seen a Gralin for at least a thousand years, they all died. Some of the Ettins lasted though. They are called the Plague Ettins, and we are the Toxic Norns"
"What's a Gralin?"
"How can you have lived here for that long?"
Aem and Anzu asked simultaneously, while Albairn wore an amused but interested expression.
"We, and the Ettins, have lived here for that long because this place is a healing, plentiful place for us. The Gralin did not survive here though. That" she said, pointing at Grarg "is a Gralin"
"I am called a Grendel, and what happened to my kind?"
"Come, all of you, I will show you"
She turned round, the elder doing the same as they talked among themselves. Shrugging, Indy, Aem, Grarg, Anzu, Albairn and Bentakumari followed them, back into the hole.
"What's your name, Toxic Norn?"
"Ulani, and that's Rundai, the Clan Elder"
"Well, Ulani" Indy said, as they walked down under the ground "if the language we're speaking is the Ancient Language, how do you come to speak it so well?"
"I have studied the ruins almost all my life, I would not understand them if I did not know this tongue"
"Ruins?"
"That's what I said. Ah, here we are"
It would've been too dark for anyone to see anything, were it not for the lit torches that lined the walls, the wood thankfully free of toxic fumes, and the glow-worm like creatures that lined the ceiling. Ahead of them in the tunnel there was what looked to be a stone archway. Rundai took a torch and Ulani followed with the others in tow. There was a collective gasp of awe as they entered, the loudest of which came from Aem.
"How did they get these in here, they're huge!"
She was referring to six stone columns arranged in a circle within the room they had just entered, holding up a heavy looking stone ceiling. The walls around the room were covered in engravings, some of which still had paint on them, though it was peeling off. On the left and right sides from where they'd entered were four more archways, two of which appeared to have collapsed. Rundai and Ulani approached the engravings on the wall facing them.
"This is how I know your language. Once our ancestors realized the tradition of passing it on was starting to die out, they carved both alphabets, and instructions in Nornish on how to speak it"
The Elder held the torch near some more recent looking marks, while the female spoke in her native tongue to him, before they both moved to another set of markings, complete with faded, discoloured pictures. They seemed to show Ettins, Norns and Grendels working together to build the same sort of building they were in now.
There was always one of each species in every picture, whether they showed digging, carving, hauling rocks and columns or drawing out the plans. Ulani spoke again.
"As you can see, when we first arrived here all worked together, and as far as they knew no harm would come... Until this"
She and the elder moved to the set next to them, showing a now completed city, but there were things in the sky and it looked they were being dropped on buildings. Creatures were running, panicking, occasionally even attacking each other.
"We do not know who or what these things are, but we do know that the substances they dropped is what made our planet the way it is now. We and the things living here would not be able to survive without it"
They moved to the next one, it showed all but a few Norns and Ettins lying on the floor, covered in unnatural looking colours, they were ill, and dying.
"This is when the disease came. The Gralin lasted a little longer, but they, too, eventually succumbed"
She motioned for the elder to lower his torch below the carvings, to show a small sandstone like block underneath. It looked strangely out of place, being plain and covered only in writing.
"Even I have been unable to translate this. It isn't Sheeish, it most definitely isn't... Nornish, did you call our language? And as far as I can tell, it isn't Ettinish. That leaves only one Creature it could belong to. This was probably written by the Gralin"
Ulani looked at Grarg pointedly, as if expecting some sort of miracle. Eventually, she sighed.
"Please, great Gralin, could you translate this?"
"I told you, we're called Grendels, and please don't call me 'great Gralin', my name is Grarg. I'm just a map maker, okay? Let me see"
Grarg nevertheless came forward and had a good look at the tablet.
"Oh, that reminds me" Ulani began nonchalantly " what are your names?"
"I'm Indy, the Norn with wings is Anzu, this is Albairn, the Norn in the machine, who keeps taking soil samples is Bentakumari, and the Ettin is Aem"
At the sound of the word 'Ettin' being spoken out so loudly, Ulani seemed to pale, but it was rapidly hidden as Grarg stood to tell them all what she'd read.
"Its Grendelese, and babbles on a bit, but it seems to be from the last Grendel, written as he knew he was dying"
"What does it say?"
The young Toxic asked eagerly, before repeating what the Dusky had said to the elder. Grarg carefully picked up the slab, and started reading out loud.
"Day 12. I believe this the last day I will be alive. I can barely raise a claw to write this, but it must be done. All my friends and relatives have already gone before me. The disease is ruthless. Hopefully, with my end will come the end of this horrible disease. It’s almost like it seeks out members of my species, all the Norns and Ettins, apart from the resilient Toxics and Plagues that is, have gone. But they were wiped out by different, random illnesses. This one is not like the others. It is..."
"The writing stops there, you are missing a piece of the tablet"
Grarg finished, then waited for Ulani to complete her translation.
"It is time for dinner, care to join us?"
The young Toxic asked, a gleam in her eye.

Back at the ship, the green tinged Ettins had ceased pounding, and chanting, in favour of rocking the ship. They seemed to think that rocking it, trying to overturn it was a better idea. Draco was standing, doing his best to balance using both his tail and the security control panel, and occasionally sneezing, as the ship rocked. Back and forth... back and forth... He thought he was going to be sick.
"Are you all right, sir?"
Laie asked. She insisted on calling everyone 'sir' or 'madam', no matter how many times you asked her not to. Her parents had raised her to be extremely polite, to the point of being annoying. Draco attempted to sigh, then hurriedly put his hand over his mouth as his last meal threatened to exit through it. Once the moment had passed, he answered the female Ettin.
"No, Laie, I'm not okay, I'm seasick. I'm on a spaceship, and I'm seasick. Do you know how strange that is?"
"I do now, sir"
"Iin, what are you doing?"
Kehm said, alarmed, as the other male Ettin, who had recently been standing at the window, suddenly started yelling at the natives in what he could remember of Ettinish.
"I'm asking them to stop rocking the ship"
"it sounded more like you were demanding... Wait, listen"
The green tinged mob outside had begun a new chant.
"Now look what you've done!"
Kehm exclaimed, becoming close to anger.
"They’re calling you a traitor now, Iin.’Kill' and 'traitor'. Get away from the windows and keep away from them!"
While Iin obeyed, and Draco had another sneezing fit, Laie made a very good suggestion.
"Um, sir, sir, may I make a suggestion, sir?"
"Sure, go ahead"
"Perhaps you should call the others?"
"What good would that do?"
"Well, at least they'd know not to come back here"
"Good point. I'll call them then. Now, where's that communicator?"