Light Boy Arc Part 4

Chapter 6: Rumbole in the Jungle

LB continues North so far with no sign of the mysterious girl with a fire starter. He decides the most important priority is to train his newer mon so that they'll be ready to battle Gamer when they make it to Croomenville. He trains and hikes with his mon as the woody hills grow steeper and steeper. LB's current roster is Triblo, Barbol, Slumbird, Splicaeleon, and Wecko, whom he has decided not to use.

There is a chill in the air when LB approaches the base of the Big Mountains. The mountains are notoriously treacherous for hikers due to the nigh-untrekkable terrain, not to mention the population of bellicose Rumbole that call the mountains home. The only way to cross is through Rumbole pass. The only vehicle permitted to use the pass is the Rumbole bus, which takes only sporadic trips. LB talks to the station manager and finds out there is a bus about to leave, just before nightfall. He boards the bus to find it empty. According to the driver, sometimes the bus is full sometimes there's nobody on it, "it all depends." But just before the bus departs, the red-haired girl steps on and gives LB a smile.

They begin as the driver explains the rules of the Rumbole Pass: they must stay as quiet as possible, not use any devices that emit light, and not send out any mon, otherwise the rumbole may smell them. On the dashboard sat a Yakjaw in a large bell jar attached to an oxygen tank with it's beaks tied shut and goggles around it's two sets of eyes. He explains it is specially trained to be on the lookout for Rumbole. Night sets in and rain starts to fall, lightly at first and then into a heavy squall. LB and the red-haired girl don't speak, but exchange nervous glances. LB decides he judged her unfairly at first and that he will try to befriend her once they make it through the Pass.

Suddenly, the Yakjaw begins spinning in its jar. The driver shuts off the bus and bids the passengers to sink down between the seats and not move. A cold shiver passes through LB as he catches a glimpse of a velvety wing outside the window. A flash goes off in the bus where the girl was sitting and the Rumbole outside slams into the bus, causing it to rock back and forth. Another Rumbole appears on the other side. The girl summons her Cafflame and asks Lb to help her fight, as they have no choice. She takes one Rumbole and LB summons Triblo to take the other. He fights hard but the Rumbole is too strong. Just as it is about to finish the job, it flies off, and the storm quickly ceases. The other Rumbole is also gone, along with the mysterious girl and Cafflame. LB wants to look around, but the driver insists they must go before more come. They make it through the pass to Croomenville in the very early morning. LB finds a disposable camera under the girl's seat. He thanks the driver and watches him travel back down the pass. Far below the storm was still traveling down the hills towards ChymeThyme.

Chapter 7: Nimbear in Mind

Light Boy heads off through the city for the base of Mt. Nna far in the distance. He spots an elderly gentleman walking his Blizelle along the canal and asks him if there was a place around here that could develop a disposable camera. Disgruntled, the man says probably not, with all the newfangled technology they're creating at Dangeligon Valley the only things they can fix around here are fancy gizmos that are designed to break right after you buy them. The gentleman suggests LB could try the Crooseum, the only place around here that respects history. LB thanks him and continues over a bridge above the ever-turning turbines of Croomenville.

The lady at the Crooseum is happy to help LB with his camera, but it will take a few weeks to get the photos developed. She confides cryptically in LB that things haven't been going too well in the city of Croomenville. LB is the first person to enter the Crooseum in a month. As they're chatting a visitor knocks on the door: a shiny purple Nimbear whom LB happens to recognize. The Nimbear, named Nueve, beckons for LB to follow him. He bids the lady at the desk goodbye. Nueve puts LB on his back and they float off towards Mt. Nna. LB notices as they go that the lady may have had a point. It was now mid-morning and hardly a person was out-and-about in Croomenville. It looked practically deserted. Nueve took LB all the way to Gamer's Pad within the edge of Mt. Nna and dropped him off on the highest balcony before giving a wave and floating off.

LB finds himself in the center of Gamer's massive arcade. Antique machines line the grand hall and flash in dizzying neon lights. On every screen the name flashing with High Score is "Gamer". LB's attention is pulled away from the hall to a 3 foot tall robot poking at his knee carrying a tray of water and snacks. The robot informs LB that Gamer is away for now doing business but will be back later in the day and that LB should hang around until then. LB obliges and passes the day trying to beat Gamer's score at pinball to no success.