Onyx and the Possession

Stiix and Stones

The docks creaked ominously beneath Onyx's boots as she and the others approached the entrance to Stiix. As they grew closer, Jay coughed as they drew closer. "Ugh, it stinks," he complained as the briny, fishy stench that hung perpetually over the city hit their noses. "That's the strangleweed. It's particularly common this time of year. It gets stronger when the night mists roll in," Onyx said. Cole wrinkled his nose. "Lovely," he deadpanned.

A fisherman perched on the broken welcoming sign waved down at them. "Benvenuti é Stiix! We 'avent ad visitorrrs in a while! Ah!" He suddenly gave an excited cry as his line tightened. "Ahaha, e's a big pesce! Ehi! Argh! Mierde!" He gave a snarl as he was yanked into the water. Onyx's eyes widened, and she immediately wrapped her legs around the dock support and reached down to grab him, pulling him out of the water before the strangleweed could get him.

"Sta bene, signore?" She asked quickly. The fisherman's eyes widened slightly as she responded in Stiixian. He nodded. "Sì, sto bene. Grazie mille, ragazza. Tu di qui?" He said. The others watched in confusion as Onyx conversed with him. "Sì, sono cresciuto qui. I miei amici però non sono di qui," she answered, jerking her thumb back at the boys. Jay leaned in to Cole. "I think she's talking about us," he said. Zane frowned. "I can't access the interwebs from here, but I believe she's saying that we aren't from here, based on certain linguistic clues," he said.

"Sapete per caso se Ronin è qui?" Onyx asked, pointing towards the dilapidated city. The fisherman's face twisted like he'd tasted a lemon. "Uffa, Ronin. Io no, ma se lui lo è, sarà in quel suo dannato negozio. Stai attento. Non è altro che guai," he responded. "That's definitely about Ronin," Cole whispered. "I know dannato means damn!" Jay said. Kai frowned. "Why do you know that?" He asked. Jay grinned. "I know how to swear in four different languages! I just don't," he said.

Onyx nodded. "Starrò attento. Grazie, signore," she said. The man nodded and climbed back up to his perch. "Arrivederci, caro. Tieni gli occhi aperti. Sei una cosa carina." he said cautiously. Onyx coughed uncomfortably. "Sì. Grazie, signore," she said, leading the boys farther into Stiix. "Stare attento a dove si mette i piedi," Onyx cautioned as they walked. "I don't know what that means!" Kai said tersely. Onyx cleared her throat. "Sorry... I basically said, 'watch your step.' The dock boards are rotten," she explained.

Kai shuddered and sat down, pulling his legs to his chest nervously. "I didn't know you were afraid of heights," Jay remarked. Kai shook his head, breathing shallowly. "I'm fine with heights. It's water I hate," he said. "Didn't seem to have a problem before," Zane said. Kai shook his head. "Before I could make a Fire Dragon at will. Since Morro's taken over Lloyd and our powers left, I haven't felt—Aagh!" His voice turned to a yelp as the dock snapped under him. Cole just barely managed to catch him. "Well, now that we know ghosts don't like water either, at least we should feel safe surrounded by it," he said, pulling him back up.

Onyx frowned. "Don't stand too long in one spot. The boards probably won't break, but you don't want to risk it. Strangleweed isn't the only thing down there," she said. Then she waved her hand without elaborating. "Come on. If it's still there, Ronin should have a pawnshop over this way," Onyx said, ducking beneath a low-hanging string of fish carcasses, leading them across the docks. Jay wrinkled his nose at the black, tarry water. "Ugh, what a dump. You'd think the thief who stole the Scroll of Airjitzu would have better taste," he said.

"Ronin would steal the sea if it were profitable," Zane said, eyes narrowing slightly. "You really don't like this guy," Jay observed. "Extensive criminal record," Zane said dismissively. "Wait, how do you know where his shop is?" Cole asked. Onyx hesitated for a brief moment. She eventually decided on a partial truth. "My Papi knew him. They were good friends," she said. Cole tilted his head. "You know, you've never told us about your dad. Or the rest of your family." He thought for a moment. "I remember you said you had a brother, right?" He asked, thinking back. "Wait, really?" Jay asked. Onyx wanted to kick herself. She'd mentioned it when they and Lloyd had been at the lighthouse. If that was even about to bite her now...