Chapter 1: Back to Quillan

Bobby is called back to the doomed territory of Quillan? What's he going to find there?

Quillan. The game playing territory well known for its wide variety of challenges, from physical battles to mind-racing obstacle courses to computer-driven tests of speed and agility, in which Challengers from all across different territories compete. But on Quillan, the stakes are much higher. It’s not just your simple game of chess or a harmless round of checkers, Bets are placed on the competing challengers and depending on whether or not your chosen challenger succeeds or fails, you could be in big trouble. Real, big trouble.

The “Losers” were taken off by Quillan’s security force of Dado’s and once you grabbed on by those guys, there was no getting away. They were snatched and dragged off helplessly. In other words, they were killed.

The winners on the other hand, lived the life of a King. They were pampered, well fed and were given whatever they desired whether that was arts, music, clothes, you name it. One in particular had played these games, right up to the Grand X itself and in the end...had succeeded. His name was Bobby Pendragon or better known as in the city of Rune, Challenger Red.

Bobby had agreed to play these deadly games and luckily enough, he thrived. He'd triumphed in games from Zadaa, Eelong and Cloral and others like Tato, Hook and Tock and last, but not least...the Clown Forest. More so, he’d walked out successful of the Grand X after defeating the champion, Challenger Green, none other than Saint Dane. But Quillan had paid a great price when Bobby realized he and the rest of the Travelers had been betrayed by one of their own.

Nevva Winter had given away the location of Mr. Pop, resulting in its sad and heartbreaking destruction, crushing the territories’ last glimmer of hope. Once their past, Mr. Pop had been burned and crushed to the ground...all hope was gone. Ever since, those games carried on just as successfully with your hosts, announcers and CEO’s of the Quillan Games, Veego and LaBerge. Things hadn't changed a bit.

It was on one day, home on Second Earth at Courtney's house, her parents off at work, when Bobby’s ring began twitching and quivering. Up till this point, his plan was to chill out and relax for a bit before jumping into the flumes and re-entering the territories but it looked as if that wasn’t the case. It was so unexpected and uncalled for, he jumped up in surprise, as if that were the last thing on his mind. He was kidding himself, on that one, but he favoured at every moment he had to just sit back with Courtney and Mark...and his life on Second Earth.

Besides, after just coming back from the Ibara, and overthrowing a vast army of dados, he felt the exhaustion starting to build, worse than ever. But the one thing he felt relieved about was the simple fact that his best friend, Mark Dimond, was back home. Courtney had found him aboard the Queen's Mary and after a hassle and a fair struggle in getting through to him on all she'd seen....they left First Earth.

“What the-” Mark began. He stared wide eyed at the ring, his mind starting to race.

Bobby put the ring down, stepped back and watched the spectacular ray of beams as they cast the room into a great shower of light.

“I-I don’t know what’s going on,” said Bobby unsurely. “Usually I’m the one sending journals, and we're not near the flume."

“You think it’s from an acolyte?” suggested Courtney, staring curiously at the growing ring.

Bobby shrugged and shook his head.

“I dunno,” he answered. “I didn’t think there was anything important going on at the time, but, hey, guess I was wrong. Then again, isn't there always something going on?"

After the familiar lights and musical notes came to an end, there next to it, was a small, neatly rolled up parchment. The paper was hard, crunchy and held together with a bright red colored ribbon. TA delivery had been made.

“Look familiar?” asked Mark.

“Not really,” said Bobby, holding up the parchment. He began to untie the ribbon inquisitively and quickly opened up the paper and to his surprise, a couple of leaves fell out and gently fluttered to the ground. He blinked, but ignored it and began to read, with Courtney and Mark listening closely.

It read, “Dear Pendragon, I hope this letter has found you and I hope you’re doing well. I’m not sure which territory or time period you’re from but wherever you are, I’m asking you to leave that place at once. No, I’m telling you to leave at once. Only three days ago, I received an invitation from a territory known as Quillan and it seems as though I’ve been requested to come and stay and become I guess what they’re calling, a Challenger. Looks like I’m going to play some games, as far as I know but that’s not why I’m sending you this. I need you to leave home and come to Quillan. Immediately. I know you’re probably wondering who the heck I am and what this has got to you, but I know all about your stay in the city of Rune and Mr. Pop and you’re playing in the Grand X. Don’t worry, I know your story. But anyway, I really need you to meet me here on Quillan. I’m new at this whole game and I’m sure things will work out with a Traveler with me. Please, I’m confused about the whole invitation as well. I was positive Quillan was guaranteed a continuing future of what happened with the destruction of Mr. Pop and all but apparently, things aren’t done yet. Odd, I know. Again, I need you to meet me on Quillan. I’m leaving my home tomorrow morning around eight thirty. I have no idea how time works on your territory but hopefully we can find each other. If its right, the flumes will put us where we need to be when we need to be there. Hmm, how about this. We can meet at this so called Castle place I’m being driven to? Kay? Alrighty, enough chit chat. Are you with me or what? Warm regards, Layra.”

“Layra?” said Courtney. “Who the heck’s that?”

“You think she’s a Traveler?” asked Mark.

“Who knows,” said Bobby, rolling up the parchment. “But I thought Quillan was done after what happened with Mr. Pop. What’s up with this? I mean, as much as I feel bad for the people, really, my heart goes out to them and all, but what am I supposed to do about it? That place was a mess! How could they possibly stand a chance now, with their past gone?"

“It could be another turning point,” suggested Mark, thinking it over. “You know, kinda like how Veelox had another turning point with Ibara? Maybe Quillan’s not done after all. You could have another shot at this. When you left Veelox, you thought that place was dead and done, but look what Ibara did! It saved Veelox."

“Yeah,” said Bobby sarcastically. He knew Mark had a point but hated to think he'd have to end up going back to the messed up world of Quillan again. He dreaded the very thought of having to return. “Yeah, I just love those games. No pressure really, only if you lose, you die."

He sighed tiredly, and put his head into his hands, not saying a word. Courtney and Mark watched him quietly, feeling just as lost and puzzled as he felt.

"Oh, I dunno," he said finally. "I know I gotta go, I’m just, kinda unsure about this Layra person. What if she’s Saint Dane? I try not to go paranoid about the whole thing, but he could be anyone. Kinda freaky, if you ask me."

Mark and Courtney exchanges glances.

“Yeah, that’s true,” admitted Mark. “You know w-we could always come with you? We could-”

“No!” said Bobby quickly. “Look, I know you two wanna help but I can’t risk that again. You two are being helpful enough reading my journals and I promise I’ll keep writing on Quillan, that is, if I’m actually going. It’s the only thing that keeps my head together, literally."

He stood there for a second or two, then turned to them and said, "Keep them safe, kay?”

“Okay,” nodded Mark. “But, you know, if you ever need us,-”

“I’ll call,” smiled Bobby.

“So, that's it then?" asked Courtney. "You're going, just like that? Back to that messed up place with those two game freaks? Are you serious?"

Bobby sighed. “I guess so. If Quillan does have another shot, who am I to ignore that? I could've left Ibara but if I would've, Veelox would still be a mess. Right now, Quillan's the one territory in trouble. Look at all the others, Denduron, Cloral, Veelox, Eelong, Zadaa...they're fine."

"You're forgetting Second Earth," said Courtney firmly. "Our home's next."

"I know, I know," Bobby told her. "But if saving Quillan means saving another territory, Courtney, you know I gotta go. Besides, if Saint Dane's off on Quillan, that means he's putting Second Earth aside. It'll be fine. Once I get back from Quillan, I'll make sure we're all here for when he comes."

Courtney locked eyes with him, realized his mind was made up and said quietly, "Alright."

Before leaving, the three hugged just like all those times when Bobby had been unexpectedly called to a territory. This time was no different. What bugged at the back of Courtney's mind wasn't entirely the fact that he was fluming off to help a doomed territory. She couldn't help recall reading his last journals during his stay on Quillan and how he'd felt so alone, with nobody there. In simpler words, she didn't want him to feel so alone. She would have argued it was a better idea for her and Mark to tag along, but she'd learned that lesson the hard way. Her and Mark belonged on Second Earth.

With that, Bobby left the house, hugged them one last time and was on his way.

Alone, he went to the Sherwood house and by that time, it was already ten o clock. It was dark and the streets seemed to be in shadow, especially with that creepy old, probably haunted house. He never liked the look of the place but there was no turning back now. He was on his way to Quillan. Again. He opened the door, cautiously peering about in case of any sign of lurking, stalking quig-dogs. Not knowing where Saint Dane was or where his plans were, there was no telling where those beasties could be hiding. He assumed the demon was already on Quillan, going about his work but then again, he might not be. He might very well be prowling about Second Earth, waiting in secret. He'd never know.

Luckily, he didn’t come across any of the slobbering beasties so it looked like the coast was clear. He hurriedly made his way down the familiar flight of stairs, opened the basement door and walked in and came face to face with the time traveling flume like he had multiple times. This was the flume Courtney and Mark had witnessed, as it shone and groaned to life, right in front of their eyes. They'd seen the small star carved and burned in the bark of the wooden door.

He walked straight up to it and took a moment to gather his thoughts, wondering if he really outta leave home and return to Quillan to meet this mysterious, unknown gal named Layra. Was she a Traveler, an acolyte or worse, an alliance of the demon traveler? Had she teamed up with him and Nevva? Those were questions he’d have to find out for himself. There was no turning back now.

There was no other way. As much as he loathed and hated the thought of all that Quillan was, and all its misery, he knew somewhere inside him....it was the way it was meant to be. If the territory was still in play and could still be recovered after all the pain and gloom it'd seen, he had to keep that in mind.

He was going to Quillan.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and called out, “Quillan!”

Instantly, the flume sprang to life with the familiar cracks and shifting of the rocky walls. Like always, it sounded like some sleeping creature had awoken from a dead sleep and was stretching. The walls grew into crystal, and the light came blaring into his eyes, forcing him to look away for a split second before hearing the expected jumble of musical notes that always accompanied one’s trip into the awaiting flume. It took no time for the notes to increase and the invisible force to grab hold of him.

He was on his way. In seconds, the force pulled him in and he was once again staring about at the dark, impossibly huge space within the flume. The star field beyond and the millions of free floating images of Halla.

As he flew on by, he gazed up and saw the confusing mass of images that swam together. He saw a couple of tall, stern looking guys running and as they stormed by, he saw the familiar jaws and the dead doll eyes. Dados.

He saw a bright, shimmering trail of light zoom down and heard the unmistakable buzzing. Quig bees.

He then saw two small doll like figures hurrying by and cringed when he saw what they were. They were small, brightly colored and when they smiled, their teeth were sharp. The little cretins could bite. He'd seen them before. On Quillan. They were the clown dolls he'd seen at the Grand X in the Clown Forest. He shook his head and wondered how in the world anyone could like them? He knew one thing for sure though. LaBerge was a freak.

He laid down, closed his eyes to block out the sight of giggling clown dados and tried to make the most of his trip. He had no idea what was in store for him on the deadly, game playing territory but what he knew for certain was the one thing he could enjoy was the calm, relaxing, silent trip into the flume. And this time, unlike his last flume trip on Eelong, it was an ordinary ride. No crumbling rocksor crackling sounds. Just quiet. So for now, it was goodbye Second Earth and hello Quillan.