The Magic Sketchbook--Beginning

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The Magic Sketchbook--Beginning; The first in a series
Topic Started: Mar 13 2007, 04:55 PM (90 Views)
Ramzam	Mar 13 2007, 04:55 PM Post #1
Everybody's Favorite DDR Posts: 832 Group: Moderators Member #4 Joined: December 16, 2006	lol. I can't believe I wrote all this in one day--it's my redone English project, AKA, not the one I was originally talking about. I had to make it eight pages long, so don't expect smooth transition between scenes... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, I guess I’ll introduce myself, first off. My name is Zet Arronard: Brooding artist and all together failure. Yep. I’m your average young adolescent, who doesn’t have any friends they can shake hands with. According to my parents, I spent too much time drawing and that it wouldn’t get me anywhere. Now I didn’t believe that, I can tell you! The world can be a stupid place at times. I’m a total wimp, who has to wear glasses, due to too much time in front of the TV/computer and his best friends are girls he’s met over the internet and has never met in person. But one thing I really want is an adventure. Anyway, I was watching the Saturday morning anime, when, of course, a news flash takes it’s place! “Aw, come on!” I exclaimed in disdain, leaning forward on the footstool, which served as a chair, directly in front of the TV. “Right when it was getting good…” I picked up the remote and flipped through several channels, to see the same news flash. Sigh. “A strange mass of swirling purple matter has seemed to have appeared in the sky of Boston. Scientists say that this matter is in fact, a wormhole leading to another Galaxy. Explorers have gone in, over the night, but none reported back. It’s believed that creatures from popular fantasy novels exist in the world that this wormhole leads to and the creatures may stumble through the wormhole into our world. All citizens are cautioned to be on the lookout for unusual creatures, when out and about. On related news, the National Guard has been stationed at the sight of the wormhole, to greet anything that might come out. This was ace anchorwoman, Tiffany Grayson, reporting live.” With that, the TV went back to the normal programs, but my favorite anime was going through the credits, now. I sighed and stood up. “Hey, Mom--I’m going for a walk.” I said, grabbing my over-shirt and putting it on, as I went out the door and locked it behind me. The refreshing summer wind swirled around me and went through my hair as I went down the porch steps, muttering a curse to myself as one of the steps broke. I greeted neighbors I passed, as I went to the park, nearby. I swung on the swings, thinking to myself, while drawing the play structure. I looked to the brick star, on the lower level of the parks, to see high school students playing baseball. I’d forgotten to bring my bike, but a trip around the arboretum wouldn’t hurt. I got off the swings and start walking up the steep hill. I stopped by The Latin Market, on the way and bought a Honey bun and one of those tall bottles of Pepsi. I’d prefer Coke or Sprite, though. Pepsi sodas were a little too sweet. As I continued up the hill, I looked at the side of the houses there. They all had graffiti on them, saying some strange stuff--some even had obscenities and racial slurs spray painted on them, in an artistic style. One was directed toward blacks, another was toward whites, and another was toward Hispanics/tan people. I made my way to the arboretum, drawing a dummy being hanged on a gallows, struggling to get air. I then eventually filled in the details, to create a kid with the likeness of myself. Too bad, that wasn’t actually me. I’d always think over the thought of suicide, every once in awhile, but I’m too chicken. It’s always the nice people that wind up as hobos… I thought, to myself. I wondered where I’d steer wrong. I drew trees around the gallows and an angel, with a hand on the kids back. I proceeded to add text. “What have you done to yourself, Hiroki? You have thrown away your gift of life! The Lord will give you a second chance--your writing and art will make a great impact on the future generations, that I’ll tell you.” I read the angel’s words out loud. I then read the kid’s: “Yeah right. What’ll my writing ever do? It’s not like I’ll even find a publisher, let alone make it into high school.” I sighed and looked at the sky. Do not give up hope, fore those who give up hope easily, are failures…however the strong-willed and persistent are the ones who will achieve the impossible. I reassured myself. My mind was like a war zone. My pessimist was fighting my optimist--my pessimist was winning. I felt better when I was alone, since no one else was around. I always hated it, when people tried to be overly friendly. Others were just plain annoying and never stopped bothering you, not matter how many times you told them to leave you alone. Like those cats that’d jump in your lap, when you don’t want them to and walk all over the keyboard, making you type something like ‘hmdusuejfdjbfie.’ That’d get annoying as well. I continued walking, until I could hear what sounded like large wings beating in the distance. I stopped cold and looked around. Nothing. I continued walking, but the noise eventually grew louder, until I could hear the kind of clicking, you’d here when a cat trotted across hard plastic. I whirled around to see a sight I couldn’t believe. A large ruby red dragon was staring me down, as it advanced on me. I started back away, not even daring to break eye contact. “Oh, crap…” The words flew through my mind and out my mouth. At that moment, it lashed out, with an open mouth. I, being the total wuss I am, stood there, like an idiot and got pinned to the ground. I stopped my head from hitting, saving myself from being unconscious. I wriggled underneath it’s foot, with it’s claws brushing my neck. But, to little avail, I couldn’t escape. It’s head craned down to my face, as it breath out. I narrowed my eyes, in it’s hot, yet strangely minty breath. At that exact moment, I sneezed. What a lucky break. I rolled off, as the dragon reared up on it’s haunches, roaring in pain, covering it’s eyes. I scrambled to my feet and quickly beat it out of there, next stop; home. I retraced my route, constantly checking my back, to make sure the dragon was chasing me. I unlocked the door, tore it open, closed it, and then locked, all in a few seconds. I went to my room, to use the computer. A little safer than the outside world. When I closed the door to my room, I could hear something nearby. I looked around. I could see a black and gold metal treasure chest, and a dark ruby dragon. I turned on my computer, then did a double take at the dragon in my room. It fixed itself on me, as it’s claws spread. The thing was slightly bigger than my Siamese cat. “Uh-oh.” I said, as I stood up, facing the dragon, with my feet spread apart. I took one sleeve of my over-shirt off. It leapt at me, gliding across the room. I whipped my dark denim over-shirt completely off and dropped it in front of the dragon. It turned off and crashed into a wall, falling to the ground. I dived on the shirt and held it down. After the thing strained against the denim, for awhile an nearly tore through it, I could hear muffled speech. Confused I held the shirt tightly and stood up, opening a small hole in it. “Augh! Let me go! This is no way to treat a female of my age! Are you even listening to me?” The dragon shouted, with it’s eyes closed, still straining against the shirt. I stared, dumbstruck. It eventually stopped and looked at me. “What’s your problem?” It shouted, rudely. “Let me go now, or I’ll tear you to shreds, when I get out of this!” It shouted and started struggling again. “How can I trust you not to tear me to shreds even if I do let you go?” I asked. “You’re ruining my favorite over-shirt!” I exclaimed. “Because, if you help me, I owe you--dragon code of honor.” It answered, looking at me again. “But first of all, why the heck are you in my room?” I asked, letting go. It walked out onto the middle of my bed and sighed. “I’m a messenger dragon.” It said, plainly. “Messenger…dragon?” “Yeah, I deliver letters, verbal messages, etcetera. This one’s for you.” “Killing me, right?” I was surprised no one could hear this. “NO! I came to tell you that the world of Kloris is in trouble. Strange things have been happening lately. Check the chest.” With I sighed, I walked over to the chest and open it. Inside, was a sketch book and a mechanical pencil. “I’m guessing pen and paper are my weapons?” I asked. The dragon nodded. “By the way, I’m supposed to be your sidekick, from her on out--name’s Rubera. I already know your name--Zet. That’s pretty easy to remember!” I sighed again, while practically crumbled at the thought of this dragon being my sidekick. “Way to remind me.” I said, subtly. After that, I spent the day, like normal, except I shared some of my food with Rubera and snuck out Sunday morning--headed for the arboretum. I had my backpack, and my usual duds, which happened to be any jeans, that denim over-shirt, and an overly large T-shirt. I had my shorter wooden sword hanging off the loop on the right side of my backpack. I’d filled the tires on my mountain bike and was speeding down the paths, with Rubera in the back pocket of my backpack--which was more of a rucksack. I had the sketchbook in there and the pencil in my pocket. I eventually stopped and drew a puddle. It suddenly appeared on the ground. “I did that?” I thought out loud. I drew a striped ball and sure enough, a striped ball appeared, where I was looking. I drew gun--it appeared in the air and fell to the ground. Heh. I drew clown and it appeared. “Hmm…this could come in handy.” I said, to myself and continued to the top of the hill. I think I figured out how to get to Kloris. I sketched a replica of the wormhole and it appeared in front of me. “Well, what are we waiting here for? Let’s go!” Rubera exclaimed, popping her head out of my backpack and looking into the wormhole. It was clear and you could see through it. Some rocky desert-looking mountainside was in the frame. “Well then, here goes!” I shouted and bunny-hopped the bike through the wormhole. I wound up landing on the mountainside and instantly careening down it, dodging rocks and catching some unwanted air, when I couldn’t. When I finally reached the bottom, I lost my balance and slid across the ground, leaving a trail of dust. A few rocks I’d bumped had been rolling down to hit me. I slowly got up, all scratched up from the slide. “Ouch.” I said, with a stupid expression, then looked back, to make sure Rubera was okay. “Well, don’t get too comfortable--here comes a local.” Rubera said, warily pointing to something in front of me. I turned back, to see a lizard woman approaching. I whipped out my sketchbook and pumped some lead out, for the tip of my pencil. It was wearing woman’s clothing and had black scales, and piercing red eyes. “Hmm…a human artist…haven’t seen one of those in a while…” It said to itself, putting a hand near it’s chest. It’s claw-like nails stood out. They weren’t big, but they still looked sharp, like little metal spikes on the tips of the fingers. I took a step back and got the courage to speak. “Stay back, or I’ll…I’ll…” I stammered, looking for the words to say. I thought of something. “Blow you up, with a bomb!” I exclaimed, ready to draw a circle, with my pencil. “Pardon me?” It asked, confused. “You said you’d blow me up with a bomb? What bomb?” It gave me this look, like I was crazy. “He’s serious! He’s got this crazy sketchbook! Whatever he draws in it appears wherever he looks!” Rubera exclaimed, then hid back in my backpack, when I glanced at her. I jumped, when the lizard woman started laughing. “That must be an amazing sketch book, then! Could you give me a demonstration?” It asked, smiling. I raised my eyebrow and drew an ice cube, looking at a flower. The ice cube appeared on the flower. “There’s your demonstration.” I said, still ready to draw something lethal. “I can draw more than ice cubes and bombs, you know.” I added. It laughed again. “You’re definitely the strangest human, I’ve seen! I’m Princess Visai. Would you come to my castle with me?” It asked and I shook my head. “Sorry. Mom taught me the common sense not to accept invitations, from strangers--especially reptiles, from another world.” Visai started laughing again and I instantly realized the humor in what I said. I sighed, feeling like an idiot. “Well…I have nowhere to stay, so I guess I could make an exception…” I said, my voice trailing off. “Great!” Visai exclaimed and practically dragged me along, through the forest. She must’ve been at least a foot and a half taller than I was, and I was almost five-foot-four. “Ah--hey! Slow down!” I shouted, just barely keeping up. If I slowed down a little, Visai would be practically pulling my arm off. I caught glimpses of strange flowers, trees, all sorts of shrubs, and even strange animals. One looked like a bird, crossed with a cat. We eventually came to a large castle--of which, Visai dragged me into. She waved to the guards, as we blurred by and eventually went to her bedroom. She jumped backwards into it and I went flying with her. I rolled off the bed and hurried to my feet. “Done pulling me around?” I asked, catching my breath. She gave me a look, then acted like something just occurred to her. “Oh, right! I’m sorry, I forgot humans aren’t very physically fit.” My ears perked up, at that remark. “Well, it’s not ever day a human sprints for almost half an hour, straight!” I shot back. “Sprinting? I was jogging, silly!” She said, I gave her a look. Oh man, I don’t think I’ll like this world much…but the place is kind of cool, when you think of it! I thought, finally getting my breath back. I stood up straight, but that didn’t last long. My natural posture was with my right knee loose and the other looked, so my torso was always drifting to the left. “I was called here as some sort of hero.” I finally said. “Why me of all people?” I asked. Visai paused, to think it over. “Because. Father’s been watching you and he’s interested in your artistic talent. That magic sketchbook is a powerful weapon in the right hands. It can slow time for everything except the user and create a monster of incredible power. You’ve been called to this world, to use that weapon to slay a terrible dragon, by the name of Garrador, who’s been destroying cities and towns for years, now.” Visai said. “So, what do I do?” I asked, looking at her. “Well, you can take that sketchbook and head to Garrador’s lair. There’s a horse waiting for you, in the stable. I know you can do it!” With that, a guard started to haul me off. “What?” I exclaimed. “Why me? I’m not fit enough to be fighting dragons!” I shouted, being dragged into the halls. About an hour later, I was riding toward a mountain, through a large field. Actually, the horse had wings, so I was technically flying. An absolutely gargantuan yellow dragon swooped down, from the clouds and came up underneath us. My horse had no choice, but to land on it’s large back. It turned and lifted it’s head, to look back at us. “I take it you are Hiro?” It asked, it’s deep voice practically rattling my spine. I nodded, timidly. I was afraid to ask ‘Are you Garrador?’ “Don’t be shy, boy! Speak up!” It boomed. “My name is Olarikan; Elder of the Skies and Master of the Storms.” I stared in awe. Olarikan’s head had to be at least ten times my size. Rubera poked her head out of my backpack and gasped. “WOW! I’ve never met you before, Olarikan--it’s an honor to meet you!” She shouted in excitement. I unblocked my ears, after she pretty much yelled the words in my ear. Olarikan laughed. “Now, now, no need to shout, I can hear you just fine in my old age, Rubera. No need to get over excited. Now then,” Olarikan said, fixing his large eyes on me, “As you may already know, Garrador is a terrible silver dragon, who insists upon making any nearby peoples obey his will, whether they want to or not. You possess the weapon that can slay him. That sketchbook is a much more powerful weapon than you think. You could create a bridge, if you needed one. A sun, if you wanted. Even a black hole. With this power comes great responsibility. You may travel between this world and your own, but you must come here whenever you are called upon, understand?” I nodded. “Good. Garrador’s lair is within that mountain. Unfortunately, he is a former elder and is of a greater size than I. He may seem impossible to defeat, but trust me: He was a weak point. In the center of every dragon’s belly, is a single spot that is not armored by their scales. This spot can be used to your advantage along with his great mass. His weight and size may make him slow, but do not be fooled. If he so much as pokes you, the impact could be fatal. Any of us elders could crush you, without any effort, be wary of this, as Garrador may try many tactics to fool or distract you long enough for him to end your life. End him, before he ends you, Zet. Now, take off, before I rise. Do not wish to harm you.” With that, I told my horse to take off and it jumped off of Olarikan’s back. He then brought his massive wings up and brought them down, sending him skyward, above the clouds. “The best of luck to you, Zet Arronard!” I heard him call down to me. After that, I flew in silence, until I reached a cave, that was in the mountain ahead of us. I was instantly greeted by a roar of earthquake magnitude. “Be gone!” Roared a voice. Most likely Garrador’s. I got off my horse and left my backpack behind, as I continued into the cave, sketchbook and pencil in hand. I ventured deeper down the tunnel, like cave, until I came up on what seemed like a dark burrow in the side of the cave. You could see something glimmering in it. Just then, to large, silver eyes flashed open and rose up. I jumped backward and held my sketchbook, with my pencil just barely touching it. I was ready. I continued backing away as a giant silver dragon stepped out, with steps like thunder. Like Jack and the Giant Beanstalk only, I hadn’t climbed a beanstalk--I’d jumped through a wormhole. “Who dares to disturb me, even after warnings? I am not pleased.” The dragon rumbled, glaring down at me. This must’ve been Garrador. Gulp. “Zet Arronard.” I said sternly. “And your days of terrorizing people are over!” I exclaimed. Garrador laughed, shaking the cave. I covered my ears, due to the volume of the noise. “You are truly a fool!” He exclaimed, grinning down at me, showing several of his giant and equally sharp teeth. I tensed up. “You say you’re actually going to kill me? With what?” He asked, still grinning. “A pen and paper? That stupid sketchbook of yours cannot harm me.” He said. “That’s what you think!” I shouted and slowed time, via the sketchbook. I didn’t think I knew how to do it. I run straight under and to the middle of his belly, then looked up. There was a metal plate over the weak point. The slowed time word off and I could feel Garrador’s eyes burning a hole in the back of my head. “Looking for something?” He asked, grimly, but still grinning. I noticed his legs give out on purpose. I slowed time again, just long enough to draw a stick figure, with a circle around it. A clear dome rose up to protect me. Garrador’s heavy body slammed down on the dome, hard. “How long do you believe that mere bubble will protect you?” He asked, then gave off a grim laugh. I could hear a crack. I looked up, to see the dome about to shatter. My pencil suddenly became hot and burnt my hand. I dropped it, just as the dome was reaching it’s critical mark, with the cracks. I bent down to pick up the pencil and got up, trying to draw another protective dome, but wasn’t fast enough. Garrador’s body came down and slammed me in the head. I fell backward, and closed my eyes, expecting to be turned into a bloody pancake. “Zet!” A familiar voice called out. I opened my eyes. Garrador’s belly was just inches from my nose, but wasn’t coming any closer. It was Olarikan--he’d come to save me! I crawled out, from under Garrador and drew a circle, filled it in black and looked under him. Soon enough, a large pit opened up, under him and Olarikan dropped him in. I created bombs around the entrance to the cave, as he carried me out. I leapt from his claw, onto my horse, then put on my backpack and beat it out of there. Time to go home. Once I was a safe distance from the cave, I landed on Olarikan’s back, as he swooped down. “I have to leave now--my parents must be worried sick about me.” I said to him, getting off my horse and directing it to go back to the castle. “I’ll be back--you just give the word.” I said, waving goodbye, as I got ready to draw a wormhole. “Wait.” Olarikan said and I instantly stopped my oval. I looked at him. “Yeah?” I asked. His eyes glowed and I soon found a strange mark on my hand. It was a square title to stand like a diamond, with four circles of blue in it. “You are as of today an Outland Warrior. There are others like you, from other worlds. Each with their own unique weapon. Take care, Boy.” Olarikan said and bade farewell, as I finished the wormhole and it appeared in front of me. After saying goodbye one more time, I jumped through, and wound up back at the arboretum. I went back home and acted as if nothing happened and was once again normal Me. Normal Outland Warrior Me…
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nya_chan	Mar 13 2007, 06:07 PM Post #2
TeH g00fy admin (I wonder why no one takes me seriously...) Posts: 749 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: December 14, 2006	Ramzam Mar 13 2007, 04:55 PM and his best friends are girls he’s met over the internet and has never met in person. cough Zet has a striking resemblence to a certain person I know.... The sketchbook reminds me of the game Okami. ^-^ I liked it.



Ramzam	Mar 13 2007, 06:26 PM Post #3
Everybody's Favorite DDR Posts: 832 Group: Moderators Member #4 Joined: December 16, 2006	I got the sketchbook thing in a crazy idea, where I was drawing a dummy being hanged...while I was thinking of chalkzone. XP That old cartoon!
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nya_chan	Mar 13 2007, 06:51 PM Post #4
TeH g00fy admin (I wonder why no one takes me seriously...) Posts: 749 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: December 14, 2006	0.o that's kinda depressing.... Anyway, in Okami, your the Japanese god of the sun Amaterasu and you have the power of the "celestial brush." One of the powers is slowing time, and that's why I was reminded of it. Do you have a PS2?



Ramzam	Mar 13 2007, 06:56 PM Post #5
Everybody's Favorite DDR Posts: 832 Group: Moderators Member #4 Joined: December 16, 2006	Bro took it to college. XP I do have an Xbox 360, lol. Heh...I thought Okami was a DS game...
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nya_chan	Mar 13 2007, 07:04 PM Post #6
TeH g00fy admin (I wonder why no one takes me seriously...) Posts: 749 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: December 14, 2006	It would make much more sense as a DS game, but it's only for PS2. I hear Clover studios shut down, so I don't think it's going to be made for any other platform T.T ...You know it's a small forum when even the admin spams....



Anthezar	Mar 14 2007, 09:07 AM Post #7
Advanced Member Posts: 632 Group: Moderators Member #20 Joined: January 13, 2007	Quote: I drew trees around the gallows and an angel, with a hand on the kids back. I proceeded to add text. “What have you done to yourself, Hiroki? You have thrown away your gift of life! The Lord will give you a second chance--your writing and art will make a great impact on the future generations, that I’ll tell you.” I read the angel’s words out loud. I then read the kid’s: “Yeah right. What’ll my writing ever do? It’s not like I’ll even find a publisher, let alone make it into high school.” I sighed and looked at the sky. Do not give up hope, fore those who give up hope easily, are failures…however the strong-willed and persistent are the ones who will achieve the impossible. I reassured myself. When I read this aloud to my mom, I started crying. I hadn't before when I read it the first time. I cannot wait for the next installment. This is a really good story with imagination in it. You've blown me away once again!



Anthezar	Jun 26 2007, 03:06 PM Post #8
Advanced Member Posts: 632 Group: Moderators Member #20 Joined: January 13, 2007	So, are you planning on continuing this story? I like it.



Doctor who	Dec 14 2007, 09:58 PM Post #9
Time Over Laps (ooh had this for a while) Posts: 143 Group: Members Member #75 Joined: August 22, 2007	A long yet good story :mellow: quick hide and seek game
	Its a computer and I see this on it... how perfect, A teleport pokemon


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