EA-LEC: Ashley-Drake VS Hira

Ashley was inside his house, carefully studying the book that he got in Belcazzar City after that fight with Crash a few days ago. It contained the spell he intended to learn back then. A short-range teleportation spell perfect for defensive wizards like him.

A few minutes of studying, the purple-haired wizard slammed the book shut before getting up from his seat at the desk.

“Right.”

With a determined look on his face, he walked to the middle of his room picking up his rod on the way. He then stood up straight as he held his rod in front of him with a stern look on his face.

“It’s all or nothing here.”

With that, he took a deep breath before he concentrated on the rod with his eyes closed. This went for ten seconds before a glowing purple aura surrounds Ashley. It had so much intensity that anyone near him could feel through their soul.

He then opened his eyes and he gave a battle cry. With that, his whole body glowed purple. Soon, he disappeared in a purple light.

Meanwhile, Drake, in his bat form was taking a nap upside-down on a roof building. Underneath him, two zombies were talking.

“Hey, have you heard?” The first zombie asked.

“No, what?” The second zombie quizzed.

“Apparently, there was a new kind of Highway found.”

“Oh yeah, I heard about it from a few people.”

Drake opened a sleepy eye after being woken up by the zombies’ conversation. He then looked down… Um, or up at the two.

“But aside from the new Highway, that’s all I know.” The second zombie shrugged. “I don’t know where it leads.”

“Well, I heard it leads to a small forest.” The first zombie said. “It’s no different from any other forest except for one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“In the middle of the forest is a giant library called the Stone Pride Library.”

Drake raised an eyebrow at this.

“The Stone Pride Library?” The second zombie quizzed.

“Like I said before, it is a library.” The first zombie quizzed. “But what I heard, it is a VERY resourceful library. Filled with books about nearly subject in the world.”

“Wow…”

“Wow is right…” Drake whispered. He then started to eavesdrop for a few more seconds until a scream can be heard throughout the Necropolis continent.

“HELPPPPP!”

Drake’s eyes widened in horror recognising the scream.

“ASHLEY!?”

Without a second thought, the vampire bat quickly flew off to the direction of the voice. He wasted no time flying off to his destination knowing that his best friend was in danger.

Soon, he reached his house. He gasped in horror when he found a few citizens watching in horror as Ashley was hanging on for dear life on the roof.

“Somebody! Anybody! Please!” Ashley pleaded.

The poor man could feel his grip weakening. Sweating bullets, he took a deep gulp and closed his eyes preparing himself for the worst. Soon, his grip on the roof was completely gone and he let go.

Until someone grabbed his arm preventing him from falling to his doom.

Ashley looked up to see Drake in his vampire form holding onto his arm with both hands and a huge grin.

The androgynous man smiled in relief. “Drake, oh, thank goodness.”

“You can thank me when we get on the ground.” The vampire said with a wink.

After Drake carefully descending his best friend to the safety and the ground making sure that he was all right, everyone went back to what they were doing.

Ashley sat against a barren tree taking a deep breath. Drake was above him sitting on a tree branch.

“Dude, don’t scare me like that. You can’t imagine how freaked out I was when I saw you dangling from the roof.” Drake scolded.

Ashley held onto his knees in guilt. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to worry you. Or anyone else…”

Drake gave a deep sigh. “It’s cool. Just tell me. How did you ended up there in the first place?”

This time, it was Ashley who sighed. “Remember a few days ago that I bought a book containing a teleportation spell.”

“Yeah?” Drake asked.

“Well, it worked… But the teleportation location I wanted was a bit off.” Ashley said sheepishly.

“Bummer.” Drake winced.

“Which reminds me. Thank you again.” Ashley thanked.

“Don’t mention it.” Drake said before brightening up. “Besides, I know something that will cheer you right up.”

“What?” Ashley asked looking up at his friend.

“Well, I heard a couple of zombies talking. Apparently, there is a new Highway.” Drake shrugged.

“A new highway?” Ashley quizzed.

“Yeah, and it leads to someplace called the Great Stone Library.” Drake said.

Ashley’s eyes brightened up and he looked up. “A library?”

“A big one, at that!” Drake nodded.

“W-Where is it?” Ashley asked eagerly standing up.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on there, eager beaver!” Drake chuckled. “Now, I overheard the location of the Highway that leads to the library.”

“Splendid. Could you tell me the directions?” Ashley asked.

“Wait a minute. What time it is?” Drake asked.

“Um… About 10:05...” Ashley said.

“AM or PM?” Drake asked.

“PM.” Ashley said.

“Then, I’ll go with you!” Drake smiled jumping down from the branch.

“Huh? But I thought you hate libraries.” Ashley quizzed.

“I do. But the last time you left Necropolis, you got into a fight.” Drake said holding up two fingers. “That’s TWICE that you went into a duel without even having me as a spectator.”

“Um, don’t remind me of my first duel…” Ashley groaned remembering his fight with Dr. Jack.

“Well, library or not, I am going. We can’t stay in Necropolis forever now, can we?” Drake smirked.

Ashley gave a sigh of relief. “Sure, you can go. It will be better where you showed me the directions anyway.”

Drake then turned into a bat and flew onto Ashley’s shoulder. “Coolie.”

With that, Ashley started to make his way towards the Highway of the Necropolis continent. As he did, he passed the same zombies Drake was eavesdropping on.

“This Great Stone Library seems very interesting.” A zombie said after hearing more about the new Highway. “I really want to go there sometime.”

“Understandable but risky.” The zombie who knew about the Highway said.

“Huh?”

“Well, the librarian grumpy, strict elder woman named Mrs McPhail. I heard to become a librarian there, you have to be an accomplished mage.”

“I see and what’s so bad about her?”

“Break one rule there and she would most likely cast a powerful spell on you.”

“WHAT!?”

“Yeah. And that’s not half of it. The guardian is a giant gold dragon!”

“A DRAGON?”

“Yeah, but I heard that he guards a certain part of the library alone. I DID hear that there is a night guard who is a shape-shifter.”

“Shape-shifter?”

“Yeah, I heard that she can turn into a wolf.”

“A wolf, you say?”

“Yeah, personally I wouldn’t go there that building. In fact, I feel sorry for anyone who DOES go there.”

Speaking of the Great Stone Library, let’s go over there, shall we?

Like everyone assumed, the Great Stone Library was a VERY large building filled with many books as far as you can see. The height of it is about two stories. As if the height of it wasn’t intimidating enough, there was five winged lion statues scattered on the outsides of the library, all complete with very stern expressions.

There, a young red-headed woman with an artist’s beret was standing in front of a desk talking to a old woman who was behind it. She had brown hair, a sorceress’ attire and a rod with an orange-yellow orb holding with what looks like a claw.

“So let me get this straight… Auntie Di, was it?” The older woman asked.

“Yep.” Auntie Di nodded.

“Right. So you are the founder of a fighting league called “EA-LEC” also known as Exercitus Artifex: The League of Extraordinary Characters?” She asked.

“Again, yep.” Auntie Di said nodding again.

“And you wish to make my library as a location for it?” The librarian asked.

“For the third time, yes. So Mrs McPhail, what do I say?” Auntie Di asked flashing a cheesy smile.

WHACK!

“Ow!” The main judge cried in pain holding her head where Mrs McPhail smacked her with her rod.

“Such foolishness. Do you honestly believe that I will allow barbarians from this league of yours to come to MY library?” The old woman said coldly.

“But Mrs McPhail, from what I heard, you have the most resourceful magic books here.” Auntie Di countered. “And a few members of the league are mages.”

The old mage raised an eyebrow. “You don’t say.”

“And besides, one of your staff is one of the “barbarians” in the league.” Auntie Di pointed out.

“Excuse me?” Mrs McPhail asked offended. The orb on her rod then started to have electricity surging through it.

Auntie Di sweat-dropped nervously. “Now, now. Let me explain something here. Whether they applied or not, anyone who came to Elarthe out of a portal is automatically a member of the league.”

“A portal?” Mrs McPhail asked stopping her spell.

“Yes. Anyway, whether they stumbled into the portal by accident or let curiosity got the better of them and walked in, every member here went through that portal.” Auntie Di nodded.

“Oh, I understand now.” Mrs McPhail said looking at the entrance.

Auntie Di looked at the entrance too to see a young dark-skinned girl with black hair and green eyes leaning against the wall looking bored out of her mind.

“So, Hira came to Elarthe through a portal? I never knew that.” Mrs McPhail admitted.

“Why? She never told you?” Auntie Di asked.

“No, because I couldn’t care less, really.” Mrs McPhail said normally.

Hearing this made the red-haired woman winced but she quickly composed herself. “I see… Well, as you can see, Hira is not a barbarian, in fact, some of the members dislike fighting.”

“I suppose you made a few valid points.”  Mrs McPhail mused. “Very well. The Great Stone Library will be open to EA-LEC.”

Auntie Di then broke the fourth wall by looking at the reader and giving them a peace sign with a big smile on her face. “Yay!”

“But…” Mrs McPhail spoke up.

Auntie Di then turned back to the librarian.

“They must allow my rules of the library. If anyone breaks a single rule or go to the magic book section without permission.” Mrs McPhail said before the orb of her rod then turned into a fireball. “Severe punishments will have to be taken.”

“Oh, yes. Of course.” Auntie Di said gulping nervously. “Listen, can I stay here for a while? You know, to explore the place.”

“Very well. Just as long as you don’t go into the magic book section.” Mrs McPhail said. “Otherwise, Urbright will devour you.”

Auntie Di gulped a bit. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

With that, the red-head girl walked off to explore the library.

Meanwhile, Ashley and Drake were walking onto the Highway towards the Great Stone Library.

“Man, it been a while since I left Necropolis.” Drake said hearing the sea below them.

“Yes, I never thought we had to leave our continent at all since we got here.” Ashley agreed. “So are you sure this is the way?”

“I’m almost positive. I heard those zombies earlier.” Drake reassured. “All we have to do is go straight from here.”

“I see.” Ashley nodded.

Suddenly, they noticed something up ahead. The greenness of a forest. Next to it was a sign

“Hey! Is that…?” Drake asked.

“Only one way to find out.” Ashley asked running over to the sign.

On the sign says “Great Stone Library up ahead.”

“There! Boom! We’re here!” Drake smirked. “And you doubted me!”

“Sorry, Drake. I should have had more fate in you.” Ashley said scratching the back of his head nervously.

“It’s cool.” The bat said flying off his best friend’s shoulder. “Come on, race you there!”

“W-Wait a minute. Do we have to run?” Ashley asked. “I’m a bit tired.”

“Just as I thought, you spend too much time in your room and now it affected you.” Drake said shaking his head in hopelessness.

“Easy for you to say!” Ashley scolded. “You spent the whole trip perching on my shoulder!”

Drake paused at this.

“Oh, yeah! I guess so.” The vampire mused. He then brightened up. “Fine, then. Forget the race. I’ll just go on ahead and meet you at the entrance!”

“H-Hey!” Ashley said.

But it was too late. Drake have already flew off leaving him.

The purple-haired wizard shook his head in hopelessness. “What am I going to do with you?”

Meanwhile, the young girl known as Hira gave a bored sigh while she stood against the wall.

“This stinks on ice.” She said. “It is so boring here. The only people here are Mrs McPhail and Urbright… And they are not considered friendly. The only friend I have is Snake and he have gone hunting. And to think, I have to watch over this place for twelve hours straight every day.”

Taking another sigh, she looked at the forest.

“I really wish I didn‘t have to be the only night guard here. I want to go hunting too…” She said to himself.

Suddenly, she then something up ahead. A small dot in the forest.

“What the?” Hira asked raising an eyebrow.

Then, Drake flew out.

“Oh, just a bat.” Hira smiled.

That was her expression until a black smoke surrounded Drake and in one second, he went into his vampire form. Said undead stretched his arms and wings a few times.

Seeing this, the dark-skinned girl gasped. She then quickly climbed onto the wall and crawled towards a stone lion until she was completely hidden behind it.

“Oh snap! Oh snap! Oh snap! It’s a vampire!” Hira whispered trying not to alert Drake. “What am I going to do? I can’t fight a wolf! I will get massacred! Oh, if only Snake was here…”

“Whoa, spooky.” Drake said looking over the library. He then flew over to one of the lions.

Unfortunately, it was the one Hira was hiding behind. The young shape-shifter swore under her breath.

“My, little kitty. What big teeth you have! Too bad they are fake!” Drake said flying in place before laughing. He then knocked on the lion’s head. “Sheesh, why do libraries have statues like these? It’s not like winged lions read or anything.”

“Beats me.” Hira piped out. Realising that she did, she put her hands over her mouth.

“Huh?” Drake asked with his smirk disappearing. “Is someone there?”

The vampire then curiously flew around the statue trying to find the source of the voice.

Only to find a grey-furred wolf growling at him.

Taking Drake completely off-guard, Hira pounced at him sending them both to the ground. They hit the stairs and tumbled down in form of a ball. When they reached the bottom, Drake and Hira were sent sprawling away from each other.

Hira slowly got up and shook her head. She then saw Drake sitting up and holding his head.

“Well… Seeing there is no turning back down.” The wolf-girl thought.

With that, she growled as she lunged towards Drake. Said vampire regained his senses just in time to see the wolf coming.

“Whoa!” He shouted.

Thinking quickly, the vampire threw himself on his back and uses his feet to throw Hira behind him just as she was about to maul him.

Drake quickly got up to see Hira making a quick recovery and growling at him.

“A wolf? What’s a wolf doing at a library?” The vampire asked himself. He then smirked as he got into a fighting pose. “Whatever the reason, this will be more fun than I thought.”

Hira, once again, made the first move lunging at the vampire. Thinking quickly, Drake punted her in the chin sending her sprawling.

The wolf quickly got up and glared daggers at Drake. She then pounced at him again.

Only for Drake to fly over her and landed on her back sending her to the ground. As Hira grunted in pain, Drake then stomped his foot on her head.

“Aw, come on! Is that all you can do?” The brown-haired man said with an evil smirk on his face before adding more pressure to her head. “Come on! At least make it a challenge for me before I kill you!”

Hira growled. She knew unless do something quick and fast, Drake will kill her.

So she rolled sideways. Not expecting this, Drake fell to the ground and landed on his back.

Knowing that this was her chance, Hira pounced again. Drake, on the other hand saw the attack coming and acted quickly with a kick.

Unfortunately for the vampire, Hira caught his foot with her mouth.

Drake winced in pain as the grey-furred canine continued to press her teeth on the vampire’s foot. Hira looked like she wanted to take off his foot completely. The vampire tried to pulled it away but no good. Normally, Hira is against stuff like this but she knew that if she let go, Drake will kill her. She needed to survive.

Suddenly, her ears picked up something. Thinking quickly, she let Drake’s foot go and jumped out the way nearly avoiding a fireball letting it harmlessly hit the wall

The vampire quickly held his hurting foot before turning to the direction where the fireball came out. Ashley then blew some smoke away from his rod.

“Ashley!” Drake smiled.

“Are you okay, Drake?” Ashley shouted running over to the battle.

The undead smirked as he used his wings to fly up in the air. “I am now.”

Hira looked back and forth at the two in disbelief. She had to fight a vampire AND a wizard!? She then narrowed her eyes before lunging at Ashley.

The purple-haired man quickly launched a small thunderbolt at the wolf. It struck Hira in the face sending her sprawling until she landed on her back.

Her eyes widened when he found Drake ready to jump on her head with an evil look on his face. Thinking quickly, Hira rolled out of the way letting Drake land on the ground.

But the vampire took this time to kick her away sending her sprawling away.

Hira groaned as she slowly got up. At this rate, she will turn back into a human and if that happens, she will be done for sure. If she wanted any chance of survival, she knew she better take them both down and fast.

She then saw the orb on Ashley’s rod turning blue. She can tell he was charging some sort of spell. The wizard then launched an ice block at the wolf.

With her eyes widening at this, she barely took out of the way letting it crash into the wall.

Then, Drake grabbed her by the front legs from behind and held her up.

“Ashley, now!” The brown-haired vampire shouted.

The androgynous man nodded  before charging red energy in his rod orb. Hira, knowing what will happen if she doesn’t do something as she tried to break free from Drake’s grip.

“You ain’t going anywhere, wolfie!” Drake smirked.

Hira looked ahead to see Ashley launched a slightly big fireball at her. She knew that she better get out of the way and fast.

So she moved her head back head-butting Drake in the process.

Said vampire let go of Hira who ran out of the way and stumbled back clutching his head. The fireball then hit him dead on in the stomach sending him flying back until he hit the wall. He slid down unconscious.

“DRAKE!” Ashley gasped realising that he just knocked out his best friend.

Of course, when he noticed that Hira was running straight at him, his concerns went elsewhere.

Hira gave another pounce tackling him to the ground. She then got ready to bite his face until the wizard thought quickly and jammed his rod into her mouth. He then kicked Hira out of him. As quickly as he could, he sat up and launched a breeze of cold air at her striking the wolf in the face.

Hira staggered back temporary blinded by Ashley’s attack. She used her front paw to try and wipe away the frost from her face.

Suddenly, her ears picked up heavy footsteps running towards her. Thinking quickly, she turned around and did a donkey kick.

The attack was successful as it struck Ashley in the chest who was going to knock her out with his rod.

The wizard landed on his back before slowly sitting up and groaning. “What just happened? I knew wolves can hear people’s attacks but usually they counter with a bite or scratching. What is that thing?”

Soon, Hira managed to shook the frost off her face and lunged at Ashley without a second thought. Thinking quickly, the purple-haired man swung his rod.

Unfortunately for him, that was exactly Hira was hoping for as she used her teeth to bite Ashley’s rod and throw it away.

“My rod!” Ashley exclaimed.

Hira then pinned him to the ground with her front legs to pin him to the ground. She growled as she glared daggers into Ashley’s eyes which were wide with fear.

“Oh, please… Someone help…” The wizard said closing his eyes preparing for the worst.

That was until a blur came out of nowhere and tackled Hira off of Ashley sending the two sprawling.

Ashley sat up to see Drake who is charred in a few places pinning down Hira.

“Drake!” The young man exclaimed happily.

“Ashley, are you all right?” The vampire asked turning to his best friend.

Ashley sighed in relief. “Yes, thanks to you, if it wasn’t for you then that wolf would have…”

Drake turned back to Hira with a VERY peeved look on his face. “Okay, it was fun at the start. But you tried to kill my buddy and that’s unforgivable.”

With that, he raised his right claw high into the sky. The tips of each finger shined in the moonlight.

“It’s the afterlife for you.”

Hira’s eyes widened in horror. Drake was looking at her with a glare that is fiery AND icy at the same time. His teeth were gritted to the fullest as he wiggled his fingers. He looked like he wanted to kill someone so badly.

Tears of fear rolled down the poor girl’s face. Suddenly, out of stress, she changed back into her original form

This took Drake and Ashley by surprise when she did this.

“What the?” Drake asked. “She’s a human?”

“In some ways, that explains a lot.” Ashley mused.

Suddenly, out of the forest, a white blur came out and tackled Drake off of Hira sending them just like with Drake and Hira.

Drake landed on his back to find a white coyote sitting on top of him growling ferociously at him.

The vampire grunted angrily. “ANOTHER mutt!?”

Suddenly, the coyote stopped growling and looked surprised.

“Drake?”

Drake’s eyes widened at the voice. “Snake?”

“Well, isn’t this a surprise?” Snake smirked getting off of Drake.

“I know I didn’t expect you here, of all places!” Drake smiled sitting up.

“Same here. In fact, I expect to see ANY one from the Byako Round Robin here.” Snake nodded. “Let alone expect to see YOU near a library.”

Drake laughed heartily at this. “Well, you got me there!”

Ashley and Hira stared at the scene with beady eyes. They looked at each other before looking back at Drake and Snake.

“Um, guys?” Hira asked.

This caught the two’s attention. “Yeah?”

“Okay, Snake, you know the vampire. The vampire knows you. But the vampire tried to kill me. And the wizard attacked me.” Hira said before taking a deep breath.

“WHAT IN MOTHER NATURE’S NAME IS GOING ON HERE!?”

Five minutes later, everyone explained everything to each other while sitting on the steps.

“So you got separated from Danglars and Tybalt when you went into that portal and went here, eh?” Drake asked with a look of sympathy on his face.

“Yeah…” Snake asked with his ears dropping. He then brightened up. “But then I met Hira here and now that I know that you are here, I feel happy!”

“Well, that’s nice.” Drake smiled.

“Listen, Drake, Ashley. Forgive me. The reason I attacked you both was because I was afraid Drake was going to kill me.” Hira said.

“And when I interfered, you thought I wanted to kill you too?” Ashley asked.

“Yes. But from what Snake tells me, Drake is a good person. And Ashley seemed nice too.” Hira said before bowing. “I am so sorry. Please forgive me for attacking you both.

“It’s all right. Though, while at the time, killing you was the only thing on my mind, now I just feel crummy knowing I nearly killed Snake‘s only friend here.” Drake frowned.

“Yeah, we’re sorry too.” Ashley nodded.

“It’s all right.” Hira said. “Any friend of Snake is a friend of mine!”

“Same here!” Drake smiled.

Snake chuckled. “Who would have thought that I would be the one who would stop this gruesome battle?”

“An unexpected turn of events indeed!”

The sudden voice made the four as they looked towards the entrance to find Auntie Di running out of the library.

“Man, I thought I NEVER get out of there.” The red-head sighed in relief.

“Who the heck is she?” Drake asked.

“Auntie Di. She said she is the main judge whatever that means.” Hira shrugged.

Auntie Di then ran down to the four fighters.

“Congratulations, Ashley, you and Drake have successfully won your match against Hira!” The judge smiled shaking Ashley’s hand.

“H-Huh?” The wizard asked.

“You and Drake have shown much fighting energy in that fight. With your spells and Drake’s quickness!” Auntie Di said. She then looked at a confused Hira. “Hira, tough luck. You shown a lot of amazing moves in that match but unfortunately, Drake took you by surprise at the last minute.”

“Um, thank you?” Hira asked confused.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on a second. What are you talking about? What match?” Snake asked.

“Like I said earlier, the match I was judging!” Auntie Di smiled.

“Say what?” Drake asked.

“Well, I was on a higher floor exploring the library when I found you guys fighting.” Auntie Di smiled. “I must say it was a thrill to watch! Unfortunately, when the fight ended, I tried to rush downstairs as fast as I can but I got lost…”

“Wait a second. You were watching us?” Ashley asked.

“Yup.” Auntie Di nodded.

“Then, why didn’t you try to stop us from killing each other!” Ashley scolded.

“I just thought the whole match would be ruined if I interfered.” Auntie Di shrugged.

Ashley, Drake, Hira and Snake blinked twice at this.

“Sooo… You are not mad, are you?” Auntie Di asked.

A second later, she narrowed ducked under a fireball.

Auntie Di looked to see the four glaring angrily at her.

“We nearly got killed and you just watched just for your own sick amusement!?” Hira snapped.

“Well, I… The thing is… You see…” Auntie Di said sheepishly.

Mrs. McPhail exited the library to see Ashley, Drake, Hira and Snake chasing Auntie Di on the grass in a circle.

“SHAVE HER BALD!” Ashley shouted.

“DRINK HER BLOOD!” Drake shouted.

“MAUL HER TO DEATH!” Hira shouted.

“THROW PITCHFORKS WITH OUR NAMES ON IT AT HER!” Snake shouted.

“DO WHAT YOU MUST BUT I HAVE NO REGRETS!” Auntie Di shouted before laughing manically.

Mrs. McPhail watched the scene for a moment before shaking her head in disbelief.

“Why do I have the feeling that stuff like this will most likely happen when league members come here?”