Venturing: Avoiding Reed

We are in a room. Darkness filled this space. As my eyes looked about, I stared upon Kyro and Zander whom their backs were turned towards me. Their eyes settled upon a dartboard in front of them; All numbers but the four are covered. Tilting my head to one side, I walked forth towards them. Kyro and Zander heard me, turning themselves around and met my eyes. We all fell to silence, no one talking about the modified dartboard before us. It felt indeed a few seconds into the silence before I opened my mouth and spoke to them, “What does a dartboard have anything to do with the case we have now?" “I do not know." Responded Zander as his attention was turned towards the said object then back towards me, “One things for sure however…" He continued, “This might be a hint on the next room." “You really think so?" Questioned Kyro, having the guts to finally speak upon the silence. Zander turned to him, nodding his head slightly. But no words came from him.

As another pause of silence came, I nodded towards Zander before turning around. Faced my attention towards the other interesting things that we could find upon the darken room itself. Alas, nothing was there. Or was it because that the place was dark? I shrugged at that thought immediately before shaking my head, for I turned towards the right side of the room. Glancing down onto the opened door before me, I muttered something. Loud that the other two dragons behind me could hear as they turned their heads over to the opened door. “That was not there before." “Really?" Kyro nodded responding to Zander as the two dragons looked to the door again and back towards one another again. I walked straight for it and entered myself.

The adjacent room was a bit larger than I had expected. Silver walls stands on either side of me, running down towards the horizon beyond. Straight towards the point at the very end of it. I stared upon it in silence, then slowly walked my way towards the center of the halls before planting my feet down and glanced elsewhere. Two other paths presented themselves to me; each heading their own way apparently. As I pondered which path to take, my ears flick hard upon hearing Zander's words mentioning a certain game on some RM. Something that I never heard him say. For I glanced back towards Zander and Kyro as their eyes met with mine. A short silence fell before Zander rose his claw; pointing towards the right as he muttered something underneath his breath. He turned and disappeared, heeding into the right side. Kyro and I watched him go; before he too takes the opposing path and disappeared also. This indeed had left me with the path ahead. Straight towards the invisible dot in the horizon before me and I turned around facing it too. With thoughts rendering my mind, I proceed to go forth and entered through the second half of the main hallway that I was upon.

Though I had not known how long had I walked for as the cramps in my legs were starting to make their presence known however. As I hissed and growled through the pain, I continued walking a few steps forth. Only stopping when I noticed something that was ahead of me. A silver bar with a black background was before me. A blinker was over the first underline. I stared at it for a moment; blinking my eyes and pondering over such a password required to even open the way. But as my mind reached out towards the recent memories of the past, it was interrupted when I heard crackles upon my walkie. I stopped and lowered my head down towards my waist. Grabbing hold onto the walkie in response and rose it towards my face. Pressing onto the black button gave me time to response towards the crackles. Thus releasing it afterwards left me with silence at least for a few seconds. The crackles came again, Kyro's voice was heard over it. As he spoke, I immediately confirmed what he had seen as such a silver bar did indeed appeared before me. We conversed for a few seconds, suggesting and pondering over the secret password needed to unlock such a device.

But about some seconds later, we had grew frustrated that even Kyro had gone silent over the walkie. It was a few more seconds into the silence was when I heard the statics and crackles again, Zander's voice was heard over instead of Kyro's which had surprised me for a bit as I carefully listened to what he had to say. “Do you guys remember that dartboard we had saw before entering into here? Maybe that is our answer." “But what numbers or letters do we need to put in to…" Kyro pouted as Zander answered his question, “Think about it for a second. We got a dartboard; all but four numbers are covered. Even that red dot was too." “But that is only one clue." Kyro argued despite not getting what the black dragon was saying. I listened to their conversation for a bit, keeping silence as my eyes closed and my mind returned to that dartboard just as Zander had suggested. I had recalled like what he said beforehand. 'All numbers covered except for four.' I thought remembering what Zander said. Then opening my eyes, I pressed onto the button again and responded back towards Zander. Immediately, interrupting their conversation at hand.

“Zander; are the numbers in sequential order?" “Yeah I figure it might be that however, considering that four numbers were left upon the board." Zander informed me and I started smiling again before pressing onto the silver bar for the first time. It was so cold that I thought my claws were going to fall off from my paw. I shivered upon the touch; but leaned forward and close towards the bar, speaking the numbers required upon the bar. It automatically typed the numbers for me. '1,2,3,4' But afterwards it had said 'error' which confused me. As I tried again, resulting in the same response. I stepped back from the silver bar, pressed onto the button and spoke back towards Zander, shaking my head for emphases. Within the next few moments of silence came Zander's words again as he questioned me, “Did you 'type' in the numbers in sequential order?" “Yeah, '1,2,3,4' “ I answered back. “That may be wrong. Could it be switched around or something? Someone should go check that dartboard immediately." “I may have it on my phone." Interrupted Kyro as I heard something beep over the walkie. “Great!" Exclaimed Zander.

I heard a 'ding' that echoed the halls and I lowered my head glancing down onto my pockets where my phone was. I had forgotten that I had acquired one since I had joined the force. I figured that I would not be needing it since we all get together and converse and chat about the topics of interest. I threw my walkie back towards its place and lowered my free claw down into my pockets. Grabbing a metal piece that felt hard in my claws, I pulled out immediately and raised towards my face. The screen itself lit up; a green message appeared before me. Staring at it, I went on to pressed upon that message icon and it brought me into a black screen  with the message enlarged upon the screen. A single image stands before me; it was the exact image of that dartboard that I had saw moments before. Staring onto it, I muttered something unknowingly and blinked three times in disbelief. For I was surprise to see that the numbers were all not in order; but rather, mixed around and merged with the letters.

“Got it?" “Yeah." Me and Zander immediately said on the walkie as I added to the short silence following us, “So the ORBG is just 'orange' 'red' 'blue' and 'green'? The standard three colors?" “Primary colors, Ling." Corrected Zander with a soft smile upon his face, “Do you not remember this in preschool when you were with Yang?" “Forgot it. It was a long time ago after all." I say with a chuckle while Zander responded with his own too before it fell silent. “Anyway; yeah, what Ling said is right. While our answer is in the numbers, we must not forgot the three primary colors and orange. Thus ORBG." “When are we going to use this?" Questioned Kyro. Yet Zander never answered him for he too never knew either.

With the silence fallen, we returned our attention towards the silver bar before us. I stepped forward; and pressed onto the silver bar again. Saying a sequence of numbers without order and stopped immediately afterwards. A ding came as a response and I wondered if that was coming from the phone. Though ignoring it and kept my attention towards the door; I watched as it parted and widened the gap between itself till it was opened fully. “Guess Ling did it then." Zander commented, Kyro started laughing for no reason alone as we each headed through the parted doors. The roads ahead was long; but were the exact size and length as the previous hallway behind me. Though the footsteps underneath me were loud and clear, completely nulling the surprise attack. I frowned upon realizing that as it would perhaps give a few advantage seconds for the enemy to move and make its decision. Thus, pondering over as to how to stop them and close that gap immediately, I noticed up ahead something interesting.

“Found a switch." “Same here." I pressed onto the walkie to confirmed the switch as I stared upon it in silence. Locked away from the public it had seemed. I walked up towards it; reached out to its length with my two claws. Thus pulling afterwards towards the side where a click now entered my ears, registering a new switch state. But a question popped into my mind in pondered as I now wondered what it had done. Thus searching around the room that I found myself upon, I stared upon the familiarity of the silvery walls. The steels walls and the floor underneath me. But nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. I frowned in response, now pondered if I should returned it back towards its original state. For as I stepped forth again and gripped the length, my walkie crackle and static was formed as I started hearing Zander spoke over the walkie, “Ling! Do not return to the original state." “What did it do?" I growled responding, almost yelling over the pressed walkie that was still attached to my claw. “It opened a side door; on my left it seems. Presented to me inside was a fruit; but it just seems to be an Apple."

“Going to switch my state."

“Same with mine."

A click. I turned my attention towards the left as a part of the wall had started parting. Before me stood an single blueberries. I walked towards it and leaned forward. Pressed upon my walkie, I informed Zander what was revealed. “Alright." Was his answer. “I got Orange." Responded Kyro, wanting to be in the conversation too as I break into a smile. Then frowned afterwards. “What do you suggest Ling?" Zander questioned me, “I think these fruits are fake and are only used as presentables. It is clear whom our target was however." “Indeed." Commented Kyro with a sharp nod agreeing with my statement while I continued onward, “But just in case. We need to put them in order somehow. Starting with that Orange since of course-" “It is outside of the primary states. But what position would it be however?" Zander interrupted me immediately as I stared onto the blueberry in front of me. “Do not know, we should try something at least just to get out of this place and confirm that these two are not our targets at all." I explained, “Just fall back towards the main room now; nothing more we could do here." “Alright." Both Kyro and Zander stated with the silence following me.

I stared at the blueberry in silence. My mind working overdrive upon the following reveal fruits that was told to me. 'Apple' “Blueberry' and 'Orange'. I frowned and tilted my head to one side; raising my head high towards the ceiling above me and shook my head. Clearing my thoughts and knowing that was not it; I just left it at that. 'Just a regular fruit seller.' I thought to myself as I retrace my steps back towards the main lands.

I spotted Kyro and Zander together. Their eyes were turned towards the last switch before them. Dotted with purple it had seemed. Both wanted to touch it and screw around with it in ponder of what it activates. But upon my arrival, they both stopped and rose their heads towards me. Smiles crept upon their faces and snouts as I closed in the gap between us. For then afterwards I share their interest and plant my feet upon the grounds, lowering my eyes towards the switch before us. “When did this get here?" I questioned immediately, knowing that I would get an answer. “This just got here when we arrives here. Its interesting that it was dotted purple however. Wonder what that meant." Kyro responded, extending his claw towards the tip of the switch's length. Touching just barely while Zander growled at him, forcing him to stop immediately as he retracted his claws back. Zander returned his sights towards me; shaking his head as he echoed what Kyro stated but cut off from there with silence looming over us.

I gave a nod and turned my head towards the switch again. Staring at it with silence before parting my lips, ordering Kyro “Go ahead and turn it." At this came two responses; Zander was looking a bit surprise that he had rose his black wings in shock. Though he said nothing as he motioned Kyro who nodded and stepped forth; grabbing onto the length again and pulled towards the side. After which came a rumble; a violence that came shaking the grounds underneath us. As I, Zander and Kyro spread our wings and lifted ourselves into the air. Hovering above the grounds underneath us as it parted and break. Leaving nothing but a large hole in the ground; darkness loomed inside of it while I, Zander and Kyro stared upon it. Lifting our eyes towards one another, we gave a slight nod in acknowledgement before slowly and gradually lowering ourselves into the large hole whereas the darkness invaded our eyes; blocking any sort of light that would reveal the hidden contents inside the darker room.

As we continued down, we turned our attention towards the walls. Quickly noticing that there be fruits safely englass. They ranged from the most common fruits known to creatures and animals towards the rare ones such as tangeri or brinna which is a weird type of fruit so you know. But never minding the history of fruits as we touched down upon the grounds below us. Feeling the now cold temperatures biting and nibbling against our scales; Zander shivered while Kyro flick his eyes about. Staring down onto our surroundings as I walked up towards him and slapped his shoulder with my claw. In a whisper, I questioned “What you see?" “Nothing but opened pathways and roads leading to a deadend up ahead. Beyond anymore of those I cannot see at all." “So I guess this does confirm that the pup and shark are not the bad guys at all." Started Zander wrapping himself with his wings and claws as he looked pleading towards us. I gave a slight nod, acknowledging the black dragon. But something else had been bugging my mind. As I had recalled what Kyro had said, I quickly turned my head towards the darker paths ahead of us.

I tilted my head to one side in confusions but dared a step forth towards them as I hear a sharp whisper in the distance. Raising my claw, I signal the other two dragons and they turned towards me in confusions. Wondering as to what I was doing; I refilled their minds with my voice. Answering their thoughts with a whisper; “I think I hear something ahead of us." “Is it the pup?" Questioned Zander as I frowned nodding my head. Indeed the pup's voice was heard out in the distance and I wanted to draw myself closer towards it in hopes of eavesdropping into the conversation. But somehow my body refuses to obey and kept standing still while my head was leaned forth and ears outstretched. I frowned having realized this and leaned back my head before turning myself around; “But there is another feeling." I say, “It could be a trap." “Should we heed with the call? Or back off and let them do what they want?" Kyro questioned me, I shook my head. “Best we leave it for now. We will send something to overtake this investigation." “Like…?" Asked Kyro but I kept my mouth shut.

I motioned Kyro and Zander. The two agreed so and stepped away from me. All three of us spread our wings and take towards the darkness above us. Returning to the surface once again, we all landed and folded our wings. Retreating down the path that took us straight towards a dark room with the darts and now back outside into the warm weather night that we were having. Quickly, I pressed onto the walkie and gave out my order towards the remaining officers that were lingering into the night. Additionally adding for some sort of bait that would confirmed my superstitions about the whispers below the surface. Thus as the orders were carried out, I yawned and stretched my wings and arms a bit. Hearing cracked came from them, before I turned my attention towards Zander and Kyro. Both of which were eager to retire into the night and I nodded my head so as they spread there wings and took off without me.

Alone came the silence to accompany me as I yawned again and turned tail. I walked along the sidewalk upon the dead silence, thoughts popping into my mind in wonderance about the decision that I had made and the psychological factor that left us upon. For upon a small smile, I just chuckle in advance. Preparing myself for a humiliation that perhaps would come when the pup comes back towards the surface with some sort of intent to destroy the realms for his vengeance at our stalking and police presence upon his door.

Thus as I continued walking, I noticed someone out in the opened. A black dragon leaning against the silver pole. His eyes staring upon something in the distance. Red wings folded behind him and his tail wagging about. Cauiously, I slowed my steps and narrowed my eyes upon his prescene. Unsure whether or not he was ally or foe. But as I approached him, he suddenly turned towards me. A smile plastered upon his face as his eyes met with mine. I froze staring at him but relaxed myself and spoke; rather carefully towards him “Zander?" “Have not heard that for a while now." The dragon started, chuckling in response as he shook his head. “No. Zander belongs to another black dragon like myself. But that is not important right now." He says as he threw his claw into his pocket and pulled out something that was familiar to me. Staring at it with surprise written upon my face, the dragon nodded and spoke again. Afformative and strong as if he had years of experience when working in the force.

The dragon was none other than that legendary officer dragon from the defuncted Neon city in the earlier years. His name was Officer Zephyr. Now, he is Detective Zephyr. “What are you here for?" I questioned him, excitement was running through my voice as I had unknowingly talked fast. Zephyr had another smile upon his face; but that was gone instantly as he mention about a stolen necklace. Now currently found by a dominator. As Zephyr was about to talk more, my walkie sharply interrupted us as Zander's voice spoke out through “Ling! You got to see this!" “I will be there!" I exclaimed in response, after pressing the button while Zephyr laughed again.