Ariella's Quote Stories

[Ariella_Newheart]

Welcome to Ariella's Quote Stories, a branch off of the Quote wars topic. New parts will be posted sporadically. If you'd rather me not include you in future quote stories, please vote below:

• I am fine with it!
• Don't include me, please.

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I might make a discussion page if you wish to talk about this role-play, but for now just post in

Random anything

or on my other role-play's discussion page:

Discuss the Arbitrary Antics of Ariella Newheart here

[Ariella_Newheart]

HOW COULD YOU STEAL MY PRINGLES?!?!

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!!! munches Pringles

Don't mind her, Xonos. Ariella does a lot of weird stuff. And she's pretty destructive. Like that one time she SHORT-CIRCUITED my jetpack! and put fog in my room...set a tree on fire...and did lots of other stuff I don't care to name right now.

Anyone want cookies?

Sure! I'd like cookies!

BUT WHAT ABOUT MY PRINGLES?!?!?!

I don't know why you're making such a big deal about it. I mean, you were the one who made a door out of Pringles in the first place. That was just begging for a Pringle-lover (ok, not Pringle-lover...Pringle-obsessed person) to break inside and steal your stash. I MEAN.....UH....

I should probably leave now...

WAIT A MOMENT! THAT'S NOT XONOS!!! That's one of his clones !

That makes a lot more sense. I thought Xonos had lost it for a second there.

But WHY is a Xonos clone here? I thought they were all gone...WE NEED TO FIND XONOS! Something strange is going on here...

I thought I was the conspiracy theorist of the forums! Eh, doesn't really matter. munches cookies

I thought I saw Xonos going into your tea shop, mumbling to himself about some new role-play topic idea.

Not another one! Wait, MY tea shop? What were you doing near there? I thought you hated tea!

Hey, don't jump to conclusions! I was just looking for a place to hide from the meteor shower.

Same here. I hope No Man's Landing won't get destroyed by the meteors.

METEORS?!?!?!

I'm going to my bomb shelter. THE ENTRANCE FEE IS IN CHOCOLATE!

I'm coming too! grabs chocolate

shouldn't we try to stop the meteors ???

I'VE GOT THIS! gets a rocket suit and hammer and starts deflecting the meteors

Who knew that Hanna was a superhero!

All moderators are superheros, don't you know?

Hey, is that Goku up there deflecting meteors too?

Hey, yeah! Looks like it is him!

That's definitely his mask. I'd recognize it anywhere.

I hate to be the harbringer of bad news, but what happened to the Xonos clone? We still don't know what that thing was doing here.

you hear a cricket chirping in the awkward silence

walks up Hey everyone! I'm working on my latest mission called "Find the black door."

floats down DID YOU SAY THE BLACK DOOR

How are you flying?

i got smushed by a meteor, so now I'm a ghost. also, i'm from a royal line of ghosts. KNEEEELLLLLL

I don't kneel before anyone but God!

Ditto, sis high-fives

That's my Twinpanions!

AHEM what's this about a black door, Stanley?

I was wondering that, too, bro.

oh, the Black Door? that's just the entrance to my family's ghost palace... it's inside a mountain. I don't know what Hands is doing with a quest about that, though

Xonos gave it to me. I was wondering about it, since isn't it usually NPCs who give out quests?

You got that right. We should find Xonos and ask him. I wonder if he went evil again... he'd better not throw another banana into the Great Engine!

Ahem...greetings.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I can only guess why you're all gaping at me like that...perhaps because you saw one of my old clones?

Very perceptive.

Explain to us WHY one of your clones was asking me about Pringles, WHY you gave Hands--err, Hans--a weird quest, and WHY you just snuck up on us.

I don't have to explain anything to you...except that I wasn't the one who gave the quest. That was another of my clones.

So wait, you have clones? have they gone evil? are they working for you?

Yes, yes, and no. I believe the person they are working for is somehow connected to Miss Aislinn Mollisong.

HEY! I thought you weren't going to explain anything to us.

The things I decide to explain to you are my business. The reason behind the explanation is also my business.

runs up Everyone! You've got to stop him!

Stop who?

STOP XONOS?

No! You've got to stop Nikko! He's taken control of all Xonos's clones and has stolen Dr. Meh's telescope to summon meteors!

The super moderators are tiring out. We need to stop Nikko from using the telescope quickly.

How about no? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA shoots a tranquilizer gun at everyone

WHERE DO THESE RANDOM PEOPLE KEEP COMING FROM? AHHHHHH

I know, right?

WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?

I'm here too!

No time! We've got to stop Spector!

knocks Spector out

Efficiently done.

BWAHAHAHAHA that wasn't me! You just KO'd Awesome_Lensfun!

Huh? How is that possible? OH, it's the hair. They both have the same hairstyle. No wonder Xonos got them confused!

knocks out the real Spector

C'mon! I think I know where Nikko is hiding! Oh, hey, a button! pushes button

"Training simulation, disengaged"

I may or may not have deigned to explain that this entire thing was another Mind Simulation test that Lukas designed.

You all did wonderfully! Galvanizing gears! This is a wonderful way to train recruits! And have any of you seen ma cat?

For the last time, NO!

Soooo wait, I don't remember entering a simulation at all.

Aislinn Mollisong, HERO! (also any other good guy)

You all actually entered willingly, but we had to wipe that from your memory to get clearer results from the Mind Simulation.

WHAT?!?!

It's true. We used a variation of my evil brother's mind manipulation technology to wipe your memories.

Oh....

That doesn't make me feel any better....

Though, it does explain why everyone seemed to appear out of nowhere.

You're here too? I thought it was just Elowyn.

I was wondering what that buzzing sound in my head was....

Yes, that has already been brought to our attention and we have yet to fix it.

So, are we done for the day, 'cause I'm hungry. And a bit thirsty. Anyone care for some tea?

NOOOOO

I think I'll pass too.

Same here...

Ok, then! Anyone else who does want tea, just come to my tea shop and I'll make you a free cup! munches cookies

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

(The original version of this story was posted here. Thanks for reading! ~Ariella )

[Ariella_Newheart]

munches cookies Well, this was an interesting day. Mind Simulations...tea...cookies... yawn Perhaps I'll go take a walk out in Evergreen Meadows to look at the stars.... walks around Hey, there are two people over there...I wonder what they're doing at this time of night! sneaks up

Now the Resistance has Mind Simulation technology. That's not good. How are we going to fix this?

You were the one who created that technology in the first place. Surely you put some sort of failsafe into it.

My sister took the prototype and the plans before I had a chance to integrate any such thing into the technology.

We will just have to take it back, then. Deploy the spy. Tell her to record all confidential conversations and report back in one week's time. Then we will strike.

Certainly. She's all ready to go.

Don't mess up again. That would certainly be...difficult...to fix.

gulp Are you going to tell the boss about the loss of my technology, Zaiden?

Just fix your mistake, Harland, and don't mess up again. walks away

also walks away

Uh....what was that? The Resistance...a spy...I've got to tell someone! It's my turn for watch duty anyway. runs out of the Meadows and to Lukas's Workshop

steps in front of Ariella, brandishing a hammer Oh, it's just you, Ariella. It's time for your shift.

Wait, something's wrong! Is the meeting still going on?

You aren't supposed to go to that meeting, you know. It's confidential.

BUT SOMETHING'S WRONG I HAVE TO TELL SOMEONE!

SHHHH ok fine, but hurry up. slides open the door and goes inside, Ariella following

EVERYONE THERE'S A SPY IN THE RESISTANCE!

I was just in Evergreen Meadows and I overheard two people, one named Harland, one named Zaiden (wait that name sounds familiar...NEVERMIND this is more important) talking about Mind Simulation Technology! They also talked about stealing the technology back and deploying a spy to record confidential Resistance meetings!

Harland? That's my evil brother, Harland. But who's Zaiden?

Wasn't he one of the kids who went to the Academy Automicus with us, Ariella?

gasp THAT'S RIGHT!

Calm down, Ariella. Did they say who the spy was?

No! Just that she was "all ready to go." another gasp WHAT IF I'M THE SPY! MAYBE THEY ARE USING MIND MANIPULATION TECHNOLOGY ON ME!!!

I'm not sure about that. What would they profit by making you the spy just to reveal their entire plan to us?

WHAT IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT US TO THINK?!?! MAYBE I AM A DIVERSION TO HIDE THEIR REAL PLAN--

Ariella, my brother no longer has Mind Manipulation technology. I took it and gave it to the Resistance. He might be trying to steal it back, like you said, and I think we should double up our guard.

Sorry that was just my conspiracy theorist persona coming out.

All this still doesn't change the fact that there is a person able to spy on the Resistance. While they might not be at this particular meeting, they may attend one in the future. All we know is that the person is able to attend or listen in on secret meetings. We only have a few people who regularly go to those meetings. Me, Mr. Ironheart, Jacoby, Violet, Aislinn, Vytanni, Nora, Dr. Meh, and sometimes Xonos.

The spy was a ­she.

Aislinn isn't here, neither are Vytanni and Nora.

We can't jump to conclusions, guys! We've known Aislinn, Nora, and Vytanni for a long time!

But none of them have been around lately--except for the Mind Simulation test yesterday. Then they disappeared again.

They all have had some things to do. They'll be back eventually. I trust them, and everyone in this room.

Then who is the spy?

looks around the room I don't know...but we should just be very careful.

May, can you keep watch with Ariella during her shift?

But I just finished mine!

I know that, but everyone else has a lot to do, and you both are the best lookouts. Violet and I will be around in a few hours to take over. Until then, watch carefully.

Fiiiiine....

Sorry about interrupting the meeting, everyone.

It's all right. You had good reason to.

She's been paranoid about spies, before.

Huh? Where did you come from? ARE YOU THE SPY?

See? Paranoid. And no, I'm not the spy.

But how did you get in here?

Through the door.

Did you follow us in? Someone should have been keeping watch. C'mon, Ari!

follows May outside

Are you sure the people in Evergreen Meadows didn't say who the spy was?

sigh Yep. I guess I should have followed those guys to see where they went. Maybe I would have been able to see ­who the spy was, then.

It's all right.

Wait, I just saw something. In the bushes over there. points

approaches the bushes I don't see anything, Ariella.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid again. climbs up a tree and hangs upside-down from the branches

How can you hang there for so long?

Practice. This also helps me think, and gives me a different perspective on the situation. I take breaks every fifteen minutes to keep my brain from exploding, though. WHOA WAS THAT A CAT?

A CAT? WHERE? Is it Lukas's cat? I'm part of its fan club!

So am I! And pretty much everyone in the Resistance! I thought I saw something in the bushes again!

looks I still don't see anything.

Ugh. I must be seeing things.

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

Two hours later

Is our shift over yet, May?

yawn I think so. Hanna and Violet should be around soon.

sneaks up SURPRISE!

YAAGHHGHGAAAAHHH

oh hi, Hanna... yawn

You both must be very sleepy if you weren't able to see us sneaking up.

yawn

I'm a night owl, unlike May.

yawn Yeh I'm an early bird...

Anyway, I just didn't see you both coming because I was hanging upside-down.

What does that have to do with anything?

I was getting light-headed, and I was distracted thinking about who the spy might be.

You both can go get some rest now. We'll take the next watch until Jacoby and Dr. Meh come.

yawn

Great! Thank you! munches Pringles and walks away from Lukas's Workshop

yawn you know, those Pringles have preservatives in them; that's probably why you can stay awake for so long.

stops with a chip halfway to her mouth Uhhhh....

I even read in the newspaper that Pringles aren't actually made out of potatoes.

...

It's just wheat, rice, corn, and potato flakes that are mashed into chips.

gives the chip a death glare

Just a little something for you to... yawn ...think about. Goodnight.

watches May walk away, then drops the Pringle on the ground...and...

cue dramatic music

...crushes it underfoot

Alas, it is the end of my Pringle obsession. From this day forward, I will never touch another Pringle chip. I regret all the years that I ate them and I especially regret breaking into Xonos's stash. One day, I will go and compensate him for all the ones that I ate... All 16,935 of them. walks toward home, but then sees a faint movement nearby Is that a cat? I didn't know there were so many cats in No Man's Landing....

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

Six days later

The Resistance has continued working on the Mind Simulation technology to train new recruits. Little do they know, the enemy's scheme to take back the technology is about to commence.

hangs upside-down from the tree I'm bored, May. We've been keeping watch for four hours, and we have seen nothing more than an alley cat! It's really dark out, too. I can barely see past the entrance to Urchin's Grotto.

gets down from the tree and shakes May Wake up!

May? May! What's wrong with you?

SNAP!

looks around carefully, swinging her sniper rifle off her back

RUSTLE RUSTLE

Is someone out there? Hanna? Violet?

steps out of the shadows Well, well, well, if it isn't Ariella Newheart. Still eating Pringles?

­No. Wait, who are you? How do you know that I used to eat Pringles?

smirks Frogs?

Frogs? Frogs...I don't eat frogs...OH, frogs! It's ­you! glares at the person

Person2: I should have figured you got involved with this renegade group. You've still got a screw loose even after these years. steps forward

Don't come any closer or I'll shoot, Zaiden.

smirks again You might find that...difficult.

glares, then pulls the trigger...but nothing happens ...uh...this isn't good. Before you come any closer, answer one question for me: what did you do to May?

A sleeping agent was put in her drink earlier today. For some reason, it didn't work on you. But don't worry; she'll wake up soon enough. But by that time I'll have gotten what I came for.

glances toward Urchin's Grotto

also glances toward the Grotto

runs in the opposite direction to catch Zaiden off guard

Running away? Good choice. smirks

runs to the Beacon and goes through the secret bookshelf door ISSOMEONEHEREPLEASETELLMESOMEONEISHEREANYYYYYYOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wocha, guv! Is somethin' wrong?

SOMEONE'S TRYING TO GET INTO LUKAS'S WORKSHOP!

See if you can find Mr. Ironheart an' the people who were suppose t' take the next watch!

GOT IT! runs off to everyones houses

Fifteen minutes later...

Ariella goes to join Irving at Lukas's Lemonade stand, followed by Mr. Ironheart, Miss Brassheart, Violet, Jacoby, and Dr. Meh...

Irving, what happened?

Looks like May was conked out, guv!

Uhhhhh, no. I forgot to mention that Zaiden put a sleeping agent in her drink. I'm not sure how, though! May and I were in Lukas's all day! Was Zaiden in the workshop? Or maybe the spy did it!

Looks like she's waking up now. I think she'll be fine.

Urgggghggggggggggggh yawn

Did you happen to see where Zaiden went, Irving?

No, guv. There was nobody but May here when I arrived.

Let's check inside. I hope he didn't get what he wanted! Maybe Lukas stopped him!

everyone files inside, Dr. Meh and Ariella dragging May in, too

Uggggghhhhmmmmmmmmm...what happened? yawn

You want the long story or the short story?

uhhhhmmmm....

Short, it is. The tropical drink you had earlier had a sleeping agent mixed in. It took effect about a half hour ago.

My "tropical drink" was 7up and orange juice. yawn I wonder if someone put some in your drink, too....

I'm pretty sure they did, but Zaiden said that it didn't work on me.

yawn the stuff in your bloodstream probably made you immune to it.

Stuff?

yawn Yes, the Pringles preservatives. They must have neutralized the sleeping agent.

O.o

Where's Lukas?

I can't see anything. The lights are off. I wonder where the switch is?

Here it is. the lights flicker on

Lukas! goes over to Lukas Are you all right? Hello? He's asleep!

It looks like he was drugged, too!

And the Mind Simulation technology is gone!

Actually, it isn't.

Huh?

We should go somewhere else to talk. The spy might be nearby.

What about May and Lukas?

Lukas is starting to wake up, too. I'll stay here with them until they're better, and we'll come join you later.

Gotcha! Also, I'm hungry. Anyone got anything to eat?

Urrrrr...Pringles?

Nope. Anything else?

Did you just turn down Pringles?

Yup.

Uhhhh are you feeling ok?

I told her what was in them. yawn

Are we going to talk about the Mind Simulation stuff somewhere, now?

Ah, yes. Shall we?

And so, everyone heads to the Beacon, intent upon discussing Mr. Ironheart's cryptic statement

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

Everyone gathers in the main room of the Beacon, shutting the door tightly

Lukas, Violet, and I decided it would be best not to risk the chance that our new technology could fall into the hands of whomever Ariella overheard talking in Evergreen Meadows. So, Lukas created a decoy. The thief stole the decoy instead of the real thing.

The thief was a kid named Zaiden. He went to the Academy Automicus with me, Grace, Miss M, and Kieran. He's quite annoying.

You didn't happen to put a tracking device in the decoy, did you, Mr. Ironheart?

You will have to ask Lukas. He was the one in charge of creating it, so he may have.

Actually, he asked me for some of my special self-destruct and tracking dyes, so I think it's safe to assume he is able to track the decoy.

We'll have to wait for Lukas to wake up, then. He, May, and Dr. Meh will be here soon, I hope.

If Lukas is able to track the decoy, what are we going to do? Try to catch this Zaiden guy, or just lay low?

I'll have to consult Alexander about that one.

Do you want me to go see if Lukas is all right, guv?

Did someone say ma name? And I found ma cat! Lukas, May, and Dr. Meh come into room, Lukas carrying a small cat

YOUR CAT?!?!?!

Aye, she's a pretty little kitty, isn't she?

Mew!

Awwwwwwww....

yawn Yes, we found her outside the workshop.

The sleeping agent should have worn off by now, May. Maybe you got a bigger dose than Lukas.

yawn You don't need to worry about it. I'm usually this way at midnight.

I'm glad to see you finally found your cat, Lukas! But we really need to discuss whether or not you placed some sort of tracking device on the decoy.

Aye, I certainly did. I can use this tracker here to read the signal. Right now it says the decoy is in the Evergreen Meadows.

May: yawn Let's go get it!

No, May we're going to wait and see what happens. I need to talk to Alexander about this through the Resistance radio. Until then, don't say anything more about this. We don't want word of the decoy to get through to Zaiden and Harland too early. Violet, how long do you think it will take them do discover it's a fake?

It would take at least a day for Harland to test it out. I don't think we have to worry about him finding out too early.

That's what I thought. Still, we should be careful. Hanna, Violet, please go guard the Workshop, and we'll all meet there in the morning. All right?

Right!

Mew!

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

the next morning, everyone gathers in Lukas's Workshop

Mr. Ironheart, someone broke into the Workshop again and tried to take the plans and prototype of the Mind Simulation technology!

They found out sooner than we expected. What exactly happened?

Violet and I were changing shifts with Jacoby and Dr. Meh, but then we heard Lukas yelling from inside the Workshop! He had been woken up by a clattering sound coming from where he had hidden the original plans and prototype. When he turned the light on, he couldn't see anyone. Outside, the four of us heard a rustling in the bushes and tried to see who it was, but by the time we got there, the person was gone! They didn't end up getting anything, so that's why we waited until this morning to tell you.

And they took ma cat!

WHAT?!?!?!

AND THE PLOT THICKENS!!!

When I woke up, ma cat was gone! Sprockets and springs! Just when I found her, now she's gone again....

It's ok, Lukas. We'll find her!

Wait. I just thought of something. looks around slowly Violet, how long did you say you thought it would take your brother to figure out about the decoy?

A day.

And when did you switch with Jacoby and Dr. Meh, Hanna?

About four o'clock in the morning.

So, Violet, do you think that that in the time between when the decoy was taken and when Lukas heard something in the workshop, about a four hour frame, Harland would have been able to figure it out?

Doubtful.

paces back and forth Therefore, someone who was a part of the meeting where Mr. Ironheart told about the decoy had to have told Harland and Zaiden about it, prompting them to try again to get the real thing.

stares at Ariella

What? Conspiracy theories are my speciality.

But who told them? Attending the meeting were Mr. Ironheart, Jacoby, Violet, Irving, May, Dr. Meh, Lukas, Ariella, and myself. And the spy is a she. That leaves Violet, May, Ariella and myself.

Lukas's cat was also in attendance.

Ma cat wouldn't do any such thing! She's loyal to the Resistance!

What about that one time she worked with Mr. Cape Man?

She wasn't. She went undercover and was spying on him for the Resistance. Not even I knew that! Everyone thought that ma cat was working for him, but in truth, her allegiance lies with the Scarlet Man.

Well then, perhaps the cat you found wasn't actually your cat, Lukas.

That cat looked an awful lot like ma cat, Ariella.

My theory is that someone cloned your cat.

Interesting. We will have to see. Who has the capability to clone?

Ummm...Xonos once cloned himself, and a bunch of cows. Aislinn and Emmalee also made clones. And Ariella somehow. It had to do with a malfunction of the Aetherstep, I think.

Ariella, could you go look for those people and ask them if they know of anything that might help us?

Gotcha! I'll begin immediately. Anyone have any idea where they might be?

Xonos said he needed peace and quiet to go work on a new role-play idea. Perhaps Evergreen Meadows?

That's certainly a peaceful place.

Nice and sunny there too.

-nods-

Maybe he was going there to watch for Harland and Zaiden!

Salutations.

AHHHHH

How did you get in here?

Zooterkins! I thought Iliara was supposed to be watching the door! We can't keep having people ambushing us during secret meetings! That has happened enough as it is!

As far as I could see, she wasn't there.

I'll go do it. Let me know what you guys decide to do. walks out of the Workshop

Xonos, do you know anything about a cat being cloned?

No. I told Lukas and Jefferson about the malfunctions with the Aetherstep and they fixed all of them.

Then that means that someone cloned the cat through other methods.

If Lukas's cat really was cloned. We're still unsure on that point.

It is possible, if not probable. The RS actually experimented with a cloning technology before it disbanded, and I believe that Miss Aislinn Mollisong may have taken it. As I recall, she never returned it, even though she said she would.

Oy, I've gotta find Aislinn! hurries out the door

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

Where to begin? I suppose I could look at Aislinn's base, though she never really seems to be there. She keeps getting into sticky situations. OR I could go look for her clones! They seem to have the ability to track her. Yes, I believe I will start there.

Two hours later

Oy, this isn't going so well. I've searched all through No Man's Landing, Engine Bay, AND the Isle. There is still no sign of Aislinn or her clones.

Yo, Ariella, you're looking for Aislinn?

AH!!! Why do people keep sneaking up on me?

Sorry! I was just going to Lukas's. It's my shift as the lookout.

Ummmm...wasn't your shift this morning?

Oh, that's right! I forgot the schedules of the lookouts changed recently. I've gotta go tell Mr. Ironheart! See ya!

WAIT WHERE'S AISLINN?? And she's already gone. Great.

a random explosion sounds in the distance

Uhhhhh...maybe I should go see where that explosion came from! It's worth a look!

And so, Ariella makes her way toward the site of the explosion. Before she can see what caused it, she spies a familiar face

AISLINN!

Ariella? What are you doing here?

Seeing where that explosion came from! And looking for your clones so they can find you.

I'm sure all my clones have all despawned by now. But why did you need to find me?

We have a little situation back at HQ. Remember the Mind Simulation technology that we tested last week? Someone has been trying to steal it. The first time, they infiltrated Lukas's and stole a decoy that Lukas made. But, there is a spy in the Resistance, and they informed the would-be thieves of their mistake! Hours later, the person or persons snuck into the Workshop again and tried to get the real thing. And I have reason to believe that someone cloned Lukas's cat and is using it to spy on the Resistance.

Aislinn: Uhhhh...

OH and I need to know if you have any idea how someone might have cloned the cat. You stole a machine from Xonos that was able to do that, if I remember correctly.

Oh, that's right! We really need to stop stealing his stuff. I would have returned it, but I...uhhh...completely forgot about it. It's in my old lab, probably gathering dust.

OR someone CLONED a cat using it and it ISN'T gathering dust! It might even be GONE from your lab.

That might be. I'll show you where it should be. Oh, and maybe we should stop by a wardrobe to change into winter gear. We don't want our toes freezing off!

Is it in the Snowmoors?

Youuuuuu shalllll seeeeeeee!

Well, ok. What are we waiting for? C'MON! runs off

facepalms The wardrobe and is in the other direction, Ari.

Perhaps you should lead.

nods I probably should.

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

One hour later, after changing into winter clothing and climbing up one of the mountains near No Man's Landing...

This is it!

This cave...in the side of a mountain...?

Yep! After our snowy mountain adventure I decided to turn one of these caves into a secret lab. However...I forgot completely about it after I kinda got turned into an automaton....

Yeah, that was a bit strange....

Anyway, let's see if my passcode works on the door. types in a code, but the screen says ACCESS DENIED

Is that supposed to happen?

No...let me try another one.

5 minutes later

Oy vey! None of these codes work!

Did you try your birthday?

Yes.

Your sister, Emmalee's birthday?

No way would I have done Emmy's birthday!

Your anniversary?

My what?!?!

rolls eyes Perhaps that wasn't the best way to phrase it. I mean...uhh...the day when the Scarlet Man first sent you to Aethasia.

I also tried that.

Uhhhhhmmmmm I got nothin'.

Perhaps I wrote it down in my crafting book or something. digs in pockets, then through backpack It's not here. I think I left it in Lukas' Lab.

WHAT? Do we have to go ALLLLLLLLLLL the way back there so you can get your passcode?

Seems so.

holds hand up Wait. I have an idea.

What?

Aislinn Mollisong, HERO! (also any other good guy)

I have a pencil...a homing balloon...and these random Pringles which I am never going to eat again. I will write a note on a Pringle and send it to Iliara with the homing balloon! She'll help us!

Iliara?

Correct. She was the last person I saw near No Man's Landing, and she's going to talk to Mr. Ironheart about the change in the lookout schedule, so it's more likely she'll find it.

blinks at Ariella All right. Wait, did you just say you're never going to eat Pringles again?

Yup. I forgot I had another tube of Pringles in my winter suit. I probably should get rid of these now before they start to tempt me.

Aetherlight comics!

I. Am. Shocked.

You have given up the Pringle Thing!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, I'm over it.

NO I'M NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Um...well...you know, I never really liked them. It was just a habit of mine.

What do you mean? How can you develop a habit of eating Pringles without actually liking them?

That's a loooooooooooooooooong story.

I'd say we have time. You write your note and send it to Iliara, and while we wait for her to get here (or send a note back to us) you can explain everything to me.

Hmmmm, well not everything but I suppose I can tell you about the table. And the pelmeni. And the rocks. Well, maybe not the rocks. Just the table.

You aren't making much sense right now.

I know! I don't make much sense to myself either!

HAHAHAHAHA hahaha....

hahahaha...

uh...

all right, I'll send this Pringle now.

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

And so Ariella sends the Pringle, now dangling precariously from a homing balloon and covered with writing

How did you manage to not break that chip when writing on it?

No idea. I guess it's a gift.

So, are you going to tell me how you started eating Pringles?

It all began one cold, snowy day in the Academy Automicus....

Oh, you were a cadet there, right?

Yup. To continue the story, I've always been a little bit crazy--even at the Junior Academy.

I can vouch for that--no offense.

None taken. Anyway, at the Academy Automicus...everything kinda drove me even crazier. I started playing pranks and...snacking on Pringles. The food there was too weird! Except the pelmeni. Those were ok.

So...Pringles were the only halfway ­normal food there, and that's why you ate them?

Yes. And it grew into a habit....

But what's this about a table?

HAHA! Oh...the table! Let me tell you, everyone thought I was crazy! You see--

comes up the path behind Ariella and Aislinn Yo! Ace and Air!

AHH HOW DID YOU GET HERE SO QUICKLY, ELM?!?!?!

Uhhh I'm not sure what you mean. I came to give you your crafting book, Aislinn. You left it in Lukas's. And I followed the tracks you both made up the side of the mountain to find you.

So, did you get my Pringle? If so, that was fast.

What is that supposed to mean?

Ariella sent you a note written on a Pringle asking you to bring my crafting book up here. It appears that you were already on your way here before the Pringle even reached you!

Oh...that makes sense. Here's your crafting book. hands the book to Aislinn

I need to see if I wrote my passcode for unlocking this door in here.

Why do you need to unlock it?

Long story. We need to see if Xonos's cloning machine is gone from Aislinn's old lab.

okaaaaaayyyyy....

10 minutes later...

Och! I canna find it! I don't think I even wrote it in here!

Then the only option left is that someone must have changed the passcode.

They would have had to know the old passcode for that.

If I remember right, wasn't Emmalee rifling through your stuff when she found the cloning machine? She would've known the password.

Did I hear my name?

Emmalee! Did you change the code on this door?!

What do you think?

Uhhh...yes? Because there is no other plausible reason that you would be up here if you hadn't changed the code and made my old lab into yours.

Hmmm...that's a nice observation.

So are you going to tell me the passcode?

I'll think about it.

Are we just going to stand out here in the cold, people? Emmalee, we need to find out if the cloning machine you used to make Aislinn's clones is still operational.

Why?

crosses arms That's classified.

Well, so is the code for that door.

Emmalee! C'mon, please tell us what the code is! I'm begging you!

Hmmm...

facepalms Aislinn, I just thought of something.

What?

We never tried Emmalee's birthday. You said you'd never have put that as the code, but she would've.

types in the code; the screen reads: ACCESS GRANTED, and the door opens

See? I knew you guys could figure it out.

You knew we could? Is that why you refused to tell us?

I was helping you develop logical thinking skills.

Little sisters.

Tell me about it.

Ariella, Aislinn, Emmalee, and Iliara all file inside, and the door closes tightly behind them

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

Oy vey iz mir! The cloning machine is GONE!

oh dear...

Who could've taken it?

Well, I could probably tell you that.

Yes? Who took it?

shrugs Of course, I can't gurantee that I'm right.

Emmalee!!!

All right, fine. When I renovated your old lab into my secret hideout, it was already gone. Anyone could have taken it.

That...makes absolutely no sense and doesn't help in the slightest, sorry to say.

At least we know that someone has it, and that is probably how they were able to clone Lukas's cat.

What...?

Oh, sorry. We're trying to figure out if someone cloned Lukas's cat and is using her to spy on us.

I thought that was classified.

That is entirely beside the point.

Well, ladies, I think it's time to hunt for Lukas's cat...again.

Do we enlist the help of anyone else?

Good idea! Maybe...Cinnar, Shadowfire, Annaliese, Kieran, and Riley? Oh, and Scarlett, Ilayne, and Molly. Everyone else is probably too busy.

Sure! I'll also ask Arona. I'll have everyone meet us at the bottom of the mountain. writes on a bunch of Pringles, then sends them off with homing balloons

You girls have fun with that.

Does that mean you aren't going to help us?

What do you think?

Yes, it means I'm not going to help you right now.

AHEM! Does everyone have protective gear to put on?

Protective gear?

Yup. Lukas's cat is rumored to be quite dangerous, and even if it's a clone we should be careful.

There's a wardrobe at the bottom of the mountain....

Let's go, then.

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

One hour later

everyone in the Lukas's cat search group arrives at the bottom of the mountain, equipped with protective gear

So we are looking for Lukas' cat?

Or rather, her clone. We need to spread out and search everywhere.

We should probably split up into groups.

Right. Arona and Ariella, check Engine Bay.

Oh, did I forget to mention that I looked in Engine Bay, Bootleg Pass, Smuggler's Cove, No Man's Landing, and the Isle when searching for your clones earlier? We can rule those locations out.

Okaaaayyyy, Ariella and Arona check the Old Mount and Evergreen Meadows. Iliara and Shadowfire to the Southern Slurries and Jefferson's Camp, Kieran and Riley to the Northern Slurries and the Blessing. Cinnar, Annaliese, and I will check the Flying L and the Copper Petal. We will all meet up in the Abandoned Labs in two hours. Everyone got it?

What should we do if we find this cat?

Catch her, I suppose.

And then what?

Take her to Lukas. We'll make sure she's actually a clone, and not the real thing turned traitor on us.

Um...does Mr. Ironheart know what we're doing?

I sent him a Pringle message explaining everything, don't worry.

Maybe we should have talked to him and Hanna about this....

There's no time! If this cat clone is a spy, we need to catch her, for the Resistance!

For the Resistance! For Generosity, Courage, Truth, Community, and Creativity! Onward ye scurvy resistors!

Are you turning into a pirate?

Avast, mateys. Forget ye that I am your captain?

I have not forgotten, captain! And I be the ship's doctor!

Argh, and I'm first mate!

Did I miss something?

They think they're pirates, for some reason.

Oy vey, you three didn't join Awesome's pirate crew did you?

No way in Aethasia, matey! We just randomly dressed up as pirates one day and formed out little crew!

Can I join? I used to be a part of Xonos's clone's pirate crew, but they disbanded a long time ago....

Me too?

I'm Captain Fancy-pants! Wait, there's already a captain. All right, I'm just second mate Fancy-pants! If that's all right, Cap'n Scarlett.

Of course you may be the second mate, Fancy-pants!

I guess we're all pirates now....

I suppose I'll join.

What jobs should we give them, Ilayne?

Argh, you be the ship's lookout, Shadowfire! And you are the ship's quartermaster, Riley!

Oh and Kieran and Arona can be the riggers! Do you want to join, Iliara, Cinnar, Aislinn and Molly?

Sure, I guess!

Ya think we should make her cabin girl, Cap'n?

Argh, sounds like a right good plan to me, Doc!

Um...I thought I was a doctor.

Oh, that's right! You are! You probably have more training than me, anyway. You be the doctor, I'll be the ship's cook. Hey, don't look at me like that! I'm certainly a better cook than the lot of you scurvy resistors combined!

I'll help with the cooking....

Resistors, there's just one problem.

uhhh...what's that?

You don't have a ship.

We have the Blessing!

It's stuck in the ice.

We could go steal one from Awesome?

HA! I don't think that would work out too well...he sees everything.

We can...pretend that we have a ship.

Uhhhh...sorry to burst your bubble, but we need to get back to the cat hunt.

Aw, ok...WAIT I JUST THOUGHT OF A GREAT JOB FOR YOU!

What might that be?

The ship's navigator! You are great at keeping us on track!

Okaaay then

Argh, mateys, what shall we call our imaginary ship?

The Blessing II?

The Resistance's...Pirate Ship?

Rebels' Quake?

Ummm...Aethasia's Pearl?

How about Burst Bubble?

The Wailing Star....

Um...Scarlett's Ship?

Rosebud's Revenge.

The Kawaii Potato.

Uh...I don't think any of those names will work.

We could name our imaginary ship after one of the Resistance's values.

Generosity, Courage, Truth, Community, or Creativity?

Community or Truth might work!

We could name it Aetherlight's Community!

All in favor, say argh!

Argh!

I gotta send another Pringle to Red and Mr. Ironheart telling them about this....

Go ahead. And also: BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES, ME HEARTIES! HEAVE HO TO THE STARBOARD SIDE! GET BACK ON COURSE, YE SCURVY RESISTORS, OR I'LL HAVE ARI RUN A RIG ON YOU!

Aye aye, Navigator Aislinn!

whispers What have you gotten us into, Ari?

I dunno. Something awesome. (Awesome probably won't approve of it, though.)

Let's go, sis!

Aye aye, rigger! I've got the climbing gear! To the Old Mount! For Generosity, Courage, Truth, Community, and Creativity!

For the Resistance!

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

Ariella and Arona split off from everyone else and go to the Old Mount.

Hey, there's a cave here that I never noticed before!

I think it's just a rock formation that leads into that huge valley.

Do you think that the clone could be hiding in there?

She might be! Let's check it out.

The sisters climb down through the small opening in the rock using Ariella's climbing gear.

Whew! There sure are a lot of rocks down here!

That's for sure. I used to come down here to collect them all the time!

Huh?

UH for my rock collection.

You don't have a rock collection. I do.

For your rock collection, then.

I lost my rock collection a long time ago.

...

Wait a second...were you the one who put those rocks all over No Man's Landing and the Aethasian Hospital?! And dug those holes?

No comment.

Seriously! Why would you do that?

It's a habit.

Placing rocks in random places is a habit?

Yes. I went to the Academy Automicus, remember?

What does that have to do with anything?

I don't know. You tell me!

No, you tell me!

No, you tell--

Salutations.

AHHHHHHHHHH

That was my Xonos impression. Did it sound like him?

No idea. Anyway, what are you doing here?

After I finished my lookout duty, I followed one of my robots down here.

Why'd you do that?

I wanted to get Vytanni's jetpack back from her, but she doesn't have it anymore.

Uh...I kinda traded her for it. I'll get it back to you sometime.

You'd better. You ruined my last jetpack with that snowball...

Yeeaaaaaahhhhh sorry about that....

She also told me if I followed her, I could find out what those weird pointy things are that I keep stepping on.

Didn't Aislinn already explain what those might be?

Yes, Aislinn was right. They were rocks and icicles.

HEY! What's that over there?

looks around Uh...what?

That large crater right over there? By those rocks?

There are rocks everywhere.

Right there.

Ohhhh THERE! Yeah, I made a slight miscalculation when placing my chemistry set next to a watering can.

Oy. Again? I thought you learned from last time.

I thought I did too...but I was kind of in a rush following my clone.

Why haven't you found her before? Is she just very sneaky?

Aislinn Mollisong, HERO! (also any other good guy)

No, I can track her. I just was delayed, since I got lost on Dagobah. And had an incident including a 12" stormtrooper, 2 lightsabers, and a Captain Phasma kite. Do not ask me how that made me delayed because it would probably take to long to tell you.

How did it make you delayed?

This is the part where I pull a Xonos and say, "I don't have to tell you anything."

Awww, come on!

My lips are zipped.

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

We need to find Lukas's cat's clone!

You're searching for her now?

Yup. I found Aislinn, discovered that her old cloning machine was gone, and then got together a group of pirates to search for the cat. Arona's and my search territory is the Old Mount and Evergreen Meadows. We will go meet everyone in the Abandoned Labs in two hours.

Did you say pirates?

Argh, that's right matey! Ye want to join our scurvy resistor crew?

Didn't Matt say that was an electrical part?

Doesn't matter! It sounds cool! Now onward, rigger! For Generosity, Courage, Truth, Community, and--

I'm a rigger?

You and Kieran and Arona work up in the rigging of the ship.

Ship?

Aethasia's Community.

Where is it?

It isn't anywhere. It's just pretend.

Oh...I'd rather not be a rigger of a make-believe ship.

Then you will be the Jester!

I guess that's ok. Wait now we're medieval pirates?

Argh! Thou art very perceptive, Jester! I knight thee in the name of Aethasia! For Generosity, Courage, Truth, Community, and--

Hold on, Ari. Now is about the time that Aislinn would say to get back on track.

Thou art right, noble rigger! Fetch me my rifle, and I shall give thee a salute!

Ari....

Ok, fine. Back to business....

I already looked through this area. We should continue to the top of the Old Mount.

WAIT! Is that something May would say? Hmmmm? HMMMMM? Or art thou one o' her robots, foul sea monkey o' the deep?

What did you just call me? I am no a sea monkey! I am a knight of Aethasia! I stand for Generosity, Courage, Truth, Community, and Creativity!

grabs her old-timey Resistance phone and dials 911

What is your emergency?

Things are getting crazy around here! I need Aislinn, a police officer, a counselor, or someone to get these girls back on track!

Uh, this is an emergency phone number. I will forward your call to Aislinn.

THANK YOU! Ace, are you there?

I'm here! What's up?

Ari and May are getting off track!

HEY YOU TWO!

Wha? Us?

Yes, you. GET BACK ON TRACK YE SCURVY RESISTORS!

You do realize that's an electrical part, don't you?

Was that Matt?!

HOW DID YOU GET HERE?

Someone called for a counselor.

Tell Ariella that I'm knight of Aethasia, Matt! She knighted me, now she's accusing me of being a robot!

Hey, I was just asking! I mean, you can never be too careful these days! What if you were a robot and you were hiding Lukas's cat in this valley! What if she was right up there on that rock, watching us, and you were trying to get us away from her!

HEY! THAT IS A CAT! C'MON!

We're looking for a cat?

Lukas's cat's clone, Matt. It's a long story. We'll be there right away! Don't let that cat out of your sight, any of you!

If I had my jetpack this would make things a whole lot easier.

I thought I'd already apologized for that!

I need backup....

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!

[Ariella_Newheart]

We interrupt our regularly scheduled quote story to bring you.... HASHTAG WARS!!! (Chess Edition)

#Hashtags!

Huh?

#BanTheHackers!

What are you doing?

#Wut?

Why do you keep saying 'hashtag' before everything?

in a whisper: #LuringIntoAFalseSenseOfSecurity #MWAHAHAHAHA!!!

Are you?

#Maybe. #OrMaybeI'mBluffing! #MWAHAHAHA!!!

What are you talking about?

#ChessGames. #MoveAlong! #NothingToSeeHere!

I'm pretty sure this is a phase. moves a chess piece

#Yes. #HashtagsAreMyNewThing. scrutinizes chess board and moves a pawn

calmly moves another piece

#IT'SAPIN! tentatively moves a bishop

I don't know why you did that. I have a feeling you have a super secret plan, and I'm just falling right into your trap. smiles

#InvincibleStrategy! #FalseSenseOfSecurityRemember?

moves a knight

#IT'SAFORKKKKKK! hyperventilates and moves a rook

Some time later.....

moves the black queen #Checkmate. smiles again

#HashtagsWillBeTheDeathOfMe. facepalms

#BlameTheHashtags?

#RockPaperScissorsNow?

Why not? Rock, Paper, Scissors Championship, here we come!!!!

And now back to our regularly scheduled quote story....

[Ariella_Newheart]

Last time on Ariella's Quote Stories...

If I had my jetpack this would make things a whole lot easier.

I thought I'd already apologized for that!

I need backup....

This time, there's even more craziness....

You called?

HEY! He asked for backup, not YOU!

I must disagree. He asked for backup but did not specify who he wanted.

Well, Matt? Who do you want?

If both of you would stop arguing long enough, I could tell you.

We have stopped arguing.

Well then, I asked for backup, not you two.

Okaaaayy....

Wait, Hanna? Xonos? What are you two doing here?

Mr. Ironheart got your message about the search and sent us to help.

It looks like you need more help that we thought.

I resent that statement!

Everyone calm down!

Usually it's Xonos asking us to calm down.

You all talk too much. I'm going to look for the cat now.

OH NO, THE CAT! WHERE IS SHE?

While you people were arguing, she got away! May went to find her!

Uh, no I didn't. I went to go get more backup.

MORE backup?

Where is that cat? I've got a trap right here!

And one of Aislinn's old cat trackers. It says the cat is over there. Wait, now it's over there. bangs the gadget on a rock This thing is half broken. Can anyone fix it?

Well, it's broken now that you hit it on a rock! Give me that!

climbs down with Cinnar in tow
Where is the cat? I repeat: Where is the cat?!?

Uh...I don't know.

facepalm

Perhaps this is for the best. That cat could have really been Lukas's cat, after all.

Where do I put this trap?

Did anyone call for a doctor?

Sorry...no.

All right, Mr. Grumpy Pants. T-T

I thought Jacoby was our resident grumpy pants....

I don't have time for this. Where's the cat tracker?

I'm trying to fix it. Hold on!

Guys....

Hurry up! You know what? Fine. Keep it. I'll go find the cat without it.

Unless that cat can scale walls, I think it must still be in the valley. The cave behind us is the only way in or out.

QUICK! Everyone form a perimeter!

GUYS....

Let me get out first before you form a perimeter.

WAIT! Are you one of Xonos's clones? Maybe you're trying to smuggle the cat out of the valley!

No, I'm not.

You could be! Like I said earlier, you can never be too careful these days!

I think Aree is right. You'd better stay here.

And let the cat get away? I don't think so.

GUYSSSSSSS!

WHAT?

I just saw a cat wearing a homing balloon fly out of the valley.

.....

That's all for this edition of Ariella's Quote Stories!