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It was a rugged, mountainous terrain. The heat was greatly intense which’d called for the spots of molten magma. From the oceans of that magma rose smoke, making the air thick.
The hum that produced from the Colossal was deep, almost brooding.
Generally, and by first glance, it looked inhospitable.
It was Earth Island; home to the monsters who possessed the element of earth.
There, was seen a lounging Epic Noggin.
This wasn’t any ordinary Noggin that some monster would come across. Mirroring the surroundings of his home, formed a small, dark charcoal-like creature. Just as Sollum, the Collosal, his eyes had the same red blaze as it’s eyes did. A fiery glow emanated from what looked like the Noggin’s mouth.
Despite the rock being situated at his homeland, he seemed almost home-sick.
He never felt much interest in communicating with his fellow monsters, for he behaved with solitary. Nothing could explain it, really, he just enjoyed the concept of having his own thoughts be his.
The Epic Noggin sat at a distant corner, per usual, separating itself from the bustling drumming of the other monsters.
In his hold was a scruffy book. Its title wasn’t clear to the eye, but he seemed immersed in it regardless of its poor quality.
Maybe it was something special to him.
It was barely noticeable, no thanks to the thick smoke that surrounded the outer space of the island, but Epic Noggin caught a faint glimmer in the crimson sky. His gaze diverted to the twinkle. He squinted, but thought nothing more of it. The sight was unfamiliar to him, but he’d also assume nothing too special of it. Despite that, he continued staring into it. Maybe he thought something would happen.
He was bored.
But then it hit him. Suddenly, the small glimmer turned into a large bundle of sparkling brightness. Having the light abruptly hit his face, the rock monster’s eyes quickly shut.
Out of curiosity, he peaked.
Was he the only one seeing this?
From that bundle of brightness in the sky emerged a colorful cloud that hovered down to his level. A dimming iridescent sparkle followed the cloud. This monster was around the same little size as Epic Noggin, but looked the complete opposite in terms of appearance.
Whiz-bang.
Whiz-bang was a small, cloud-like creature filled with prismatic energy. On both sides of its soft body were five colorful, like-wise to mimicking fireworks, ribbons that had vibrant shifting hues. Their arms seemed to be composed of the same bright colors. Almost representing a rubber-hose style, the wrists and hands of the monster were a creme-white.
This monster was a sight the rock had never seen before. It seemed almost otherworldly.
Epic Noggin quickly shook his head to get himself out of his thoughts.
The cloud opened its eyes, revealing their innocent blue gaze to the rock. They extended their hand out with a warm smile.
The Epic Noggin stared back at them, almost uncomfortably. He didn’t move an inch, not much to the Whiz-bang’s appeal.
Maybe they needed to try a softer approach?
That’s right.
Whiz-Bang opened their mouth, but was stopped by the blurting of Epic Noggin.
“What brings you here?” His tone was stern, untrusting to the cloud.
“Name’s Whiz-bang. Have you not heard of me?” They curiously tilted their body to the side, still floating.
“Never.”
The Whiz-bang quickly flailed their hands. “Oh. Silly me. Of course, I came out of nowhere. You must be so confused! I’m sorry, really. I’ve come here for touring, actually.” Whiz-bang spoke in a tone that was almost babying, nothing that Epic Noggin enjoyed.
“Touring?“
Fortunately, Whiz-Bang’s tone snapped back to its regular pitch. “Yep! It’s a nice story, actually. Ever since I’ve found my true self, I’ve made it my life passion to explore! I mean, duh. Who could not love what the Monster World has to give you?”
Epic Noggin only nodded, but he considered what Whiz-bang had to say.
Quite frankly, he wasn’t in the mood to chat. On top of that, this new monster already seemed too chattery for his well-being. He wanted to shut them out, but something was telling him to just listen.
Whiz-bang’s friendliness was a bit intoxicating.
“Okay, let me tell ya’ something you’ve got to know! I come from the Seasonal Shanty! Totally cool place. Does that ring a bell?”
“Oh. So you’re a Seasonal?” At the same time he said that, he was just ever-so slightly confused on why a particular monster like Whiz-bang would be traveling solo. Of course, he didn’t want to seem like he was interested. He wanted to keep his stoic persona.
It’s what kept him safe.
“If that’s what they call us, then yes!” The Whiz-bang proudly exclaimed. “I bet you’re curious about where I actually live, hm?”
The rock monster shook his head. “No. Not really.”
“Oh. Okay,” Whiz-bang uttered, now feeling a bit awkward. Fortunately, he had something else to say to push that previous encounter beside. “So, what brings you here?”
“Uh. It’s my home. I brought myself here.” The Epic Noggin said that was almost too snarky, which made the Whiz-bang shoot a suspicious look at him.
In an attempt to save the conversation, the Whiz-bang spoke out again. “I’m talkin’ about this little platform. I mean, duh, you live here. You’re a rock on a rocky island,” the cloud said with no ill intent, more-so humorously. “You’re so close to the edge of this dang place! Why are you here?” They pointed at the little terrain the rock monster was on to bring further emphasis.
Epic Noggin paused for a while. Come to think of it, he never actually knew why he claimed this little corner.
“Hm. I guess it’s just that,” he contemplated why he came over here today. Maybe that’d be a good source for his answer. Of course, the bustling crowd back at the central part of the island. “It’s not often any monster comes up to me. I mean, listen, I can be apart of their festivities too. I just choose not to. I like doing my own things.”
“Oh,” Whiz-bang uttered with a look of pity. They were almost at a loss of words for a straight minute until they found the courage to speak again. “What things do you like doing?”
The Epic Noggin didn’t respond. His eyes were locked into whatever was out there in the distance. Past the smoke that surrounds this Colossus.
He quickly snapped out of his captivation and looked back at the Whiz-Bang. “I haven’t figured that out.”
“Well, while I’m still here, maybe we could figure something out together. Does that sound like a plan?” The Whiz-bang carried a smile almost infectious.
Too kind for their own good, the Epic Noggin thought to himself. He felt odd. Whiz-bang barely knew him, that was certainly true, but was treating him as if they knew each-other personally.
Admittedly, he genuinely found himself interested in what Whiz-bang had to offer, for this was something new. “I’m fine with that, I guess.” His small body limited him from flexible movement, but he pulled off a little shrugging motion. “If there’s one thing I like to do, It’d be to observe.”
The cloud gasped upon hearing this.
Did he say something wrong?
No, Whiz-bang was just truly excited to hear this from the rock, for they had the perfect idea.
“Oh!” The Whiz-bang happily clasped their hands together. “How’d you feel if I brought you to see the stars? That’s totally something to observe!”
The Epic Noggin’s eyes narrowed. “How can you bring me to the stars, exactly?”
“I fly. Duh.” The Whiz-bang rolled their eyes. Again, no truly ill intent was put into it. “I mean, if you aren’t okay with me grabbing you, then we don’t need to see stars. I could sit here with you.”
“You probably shouldn’t do that. This floor’ll burn you.” The Epic Noggin muttered out, almost in a concerned tone. He began to think about what the Whiz-bang was proposing and, for a second, his eyes softened. It’s not often a monster would get to see what’s up there in such an intense island like this. “It’d be okay.”
“—Up we go, then!” The Whiz-bang squealed. Of course, with consent, they obtained a hold of the Epic Noggin’s two claw-like hands. Despite expecting the ascent, it was still very much to the Epic Noggin’s surprise.
With prevail, they managed to pass through the smoky layers of Earth Island. The sight that was bestowed to Epic Noggin was something almost ethereal.
The sky was painted with vibrant colors, that of violets. In the twilight, stars peeked almost everywhere as the daylight left the horizon.
The Epic Noggin was so mesmerized by the view that he hadn’t realized that the Whiz-bang had placed him down.
A tiny, floating islet. A pristine spot so randomly out here in the wide open.
The cloud gently sat besides the rock and gazed up with him. “How d’ya feel up here?”
“Different.” The Epic Noggin breathed. “It’s nice.”
Maybe the Whiz-bang knew he was seeking this, for they grinned hearing that. Like previously, the cloud clasped their hands together and watched the sky.
The Epic Noggin pointed somewhere into the distance. “Hm. That’s the Crystalline Crop. I recognize that pattern from my book.”
The Whiz-bang slightly flinched. “Book?”
“Have you not heard of one?”
“What? Of course I have. Don’t make me look dumb! It’s just… eh,” the Whiz-bang hesitantly pulled out the same dirty book that the rock previously had back on Earth Island. “I’ll be honest. I was going to steal it, like as a souvenir, until you mentioned that it was your’s right now!” They claimed, placing the book onto the ground and sliding it over to the other monster.
“Oh. Wow. Shame on you.” He almost let out a chuckle.
-
Despite all of their time together, the Whiz-bang did have to return back to their home-land, so they placed the rock back unto the same place they’d met him at.
The Whiz-bang did one last party trick. Levitating away from the Epic Noggin, they’d begin to twirl in the air until, eventually, they spewed into a pop of colorful fireworks. The rock could see the cloud leaving as he saw small glimpses of twinkles in the smoke.
Surprisingly, despite the volume of the whizzing, no other monster had come to witness this.
The Epic Noggin had to admit, he’d miss the Whiz-bang. He didn’t know if they’d have an encounter like this again for a while.
At least he made a new friend through his solitude.