The Unusual Occurrence Of Mote

As Eary, Alice, and Mei entered into the large shrine, Anu glimmered above and announced, "I shall perform the ancient dance of our kind, illuminating the way forth." As Anu ascended to the middle of the room, her posterior lights began to pulsate. As the pulsating began to increase, a vibration, then later a beat. Soon, strange multicolored lights slowly began to drift towards Anu, as if entranced by some unseen force.

Alice and Mei were entranced by the spectical, while Eary could pay it no heed. Glancing over to Mote, Eary longed to help him. The little blue moteling looked uncomfortable in the grasp of the brutish red one. Then, an idea struck him. Eary approached the pair. Summoning up his best impression of his father, Eary commanded, "Release him!" The red moteling paid him no attention as the lights continued to dance and pulsate. Annoyed, Eary pointed directly at Rowan. This time, he commanded, "I order you, as the Claris to release him!" This time, Rowan released his grasp. Mote immediately flew behind Eary's shoulder. Rowan begrudgingly replied, "Yes, my Claris."

Mote exclaimed "Thanks kid. But how'd ya know that would work?" Eary looked back at his long-time friend and whispered,"You said I'm like a god-king. So I took a chance." Mote beamed from ear to ear as Anu's magical dance began to shit the structure of the room around them. As the beat permeated through the chamber, something strange began to happen. The walls of the shrine started to collapse. On the other side was a continuation of the cave.

Anu reproached the group. Looking at Mote and Eary, she instructed, "Hmmmm, follow." As she instructed the teens, Mote, and the small battalion of notelings proceeded down the corridor.

Eary examined his surroundings as they walked. Large deposits of unusual ore glowed in the cavern walls. As they continued along, they reached a large chamber filled with multiple motelings. At the center in the back was a throne made from the same glowing ore. Sitting atop was an orange moteling, whose expression spoke of annoyance.

"Mote. Of course, it's Mote." The regal orange moteling gripped. "What is it this time?" Anu approached the throne."King Lorcan, I have caught Mote in a lie. He seems to have resisted our attempts to purify him. Furthermore, it would seem that Mote finds it acceptable to teach our new Claris to lie to us." Lorcan fixated his attention on Mote."Yes, I found it odd that you would have turned over a new leaf, now, after all this time." Mote scoffed, pointing in anger he replied "Fuck you, Lorcan! You're such a douche bag, you know that?" Lorcan looked at the four, then to Eary. "Ah, I see the next Claris has revealed themselves." Lorcan hovered over to Eary."A bit small for a human child. But I supposed you'll do. I am Lorcan, the king of the motelings." Eary nodded."It's nice to meet you, but Mote, myself, and my friends really should be going." Mote chimed in."Yeah! We don't wanna catch your loseritis." Lorcan huffed "Silence. My Claris, your role on our world is far too important to be guided by one such as Mote." Mote shot back,"Whatever! I've saved this rock twice now. All yous ever done is sit here and bitch." Lorcan continued "As king of the motelings. It is my duty to do what is right for my people. So I have decided that Mote will remain here while I accompany you."

Mote grew increasingly annoyed. With a big flash, he confronted Lorcan right to his face. "You?" Mote snickered "What the fuck are you gonna do? Eary needs a real moteling to assist him." Lorcan was about to snipe back when Mote announced "I challenge you to a dance off!" The whole cave gasped in shock. Eary Alice and Mei looked at each other confused. Alice asked. "Why's that such a big deal?" Anu, in a state of disbelief, replied,"It is among our most sacred traditions. The moteling of who is the best of us at dancing is considered to be the king by us all." Eary scoffed "Well Mote can get down. I've seen it. He's always watching tiktok videos and practicing the dances he finds on there." Anu looked puzzled."Tiktok? What is that? No matter. Once a challenge has been made, none may stand in the way, even a Claris." Mei questioned "What does that mean?" Anu replied "The winner shall be our new king. The loser will be the kings meal. Lorcan has been waiting for this for millennium."

Lorcan cackled. "You fool! None have ever managed to best me." Lorcan rose from his throne. Announcing to the motelings, "Today is a joyous occasion. We shall soon be rid of this wanna be usurper, and please Claris l with the removal of this problem from our ilk." Mote sneered."Oh shove it up your ass, Lorcan! You know why I didn't invite you to my party? It's cause yous boring. Prepared die, your majesty!" Mote stormed off back down the corridor. The teens quickly followed him out. Eary questioned, "Mote, where are you going?" Mote mischievously grinned."Get some backup!"

As the four returned down the cavernous path, Mote turned a corner. Following along the four came to a room practically buzzing with motelings. Mote exclaimed, "Here we go! The main hive." Mei chimed in curiously."Hive?" Mote nodded."Yeppers! All of us motelings are connected by our hive memory." Mei replied "Ah, of course." Mote nodded enthusiastically "Hey don't worry about it. It's just a moteling thing.... I swear." Mote's smile seemed more devious now. Soon a green moteling flew up to Mote. "Oran! How's it goin' cuz?" The little green moteling replied shyly "Mote? Aren't you supposed to be getting purified?" Mote scoffed "Tsk. Me? Never. Say listen, I got a favor to ask." Mote explained his situation to Oran. The little green moteling responded in shock "What?! You challenged Lorcan? Are you insane?" Mote scoffed."Me!? You knows I used to be top dog 'round here. Lorcans just some wanna be!" Oran grumbled."He was blessed by Claris with incredible dance skills! And we both know why." Oran crossed his arms in judgment. Mote approached the little green moteling. Placing a hand on his back, Mote stated "I knows, I knows. I messed up back then." Mote paused and searched Oran's face "I lost everything after that! My job, my home, my crown." Mote looked off into the distance,"and Anu too." Oran consoled his small pal."I know, man. But I'm sorry, I can't disobey Claris again."

Eary interrupted the two. "When I was younger, my church's pastor and I had a conversation about God and the impossible." Oran's attention shifted to Eary as he spoke."He told me that God will test you, but that doesn't mean you're supposed to fail. God wants you to succeed." Eary stared off into the distance as he continued thoughts of Ephraim, and the miracle filled his mind. "Maybe Claris is trying to get Mote to prove himself. Not just to Claris by saving the world, but to himself by beating Lorcan!" Mote erupted in blue light as he zipped up to Eary "Hell yeah! Now that's the spirit, kid! I can always count on yous!" Mote shimmered back to Oran and stated,"See! Even the new Claris is on my side. I just need a little help. The fate of the whole world lies in the balance." Oran sighed. Staring at Mote, he reluctantly replied, "What do you need me to do?" Mote shined viciously as he explained."I just need you and our old dance squads help. I think you can get 'em together for me?" Oran grumbled."Maybe, but I can't make any promises. " Mote grabbed Oran and flew up in a spiral of blue and green lights "Thanks pal, knew I could count on yous."

Eary, Mote, and the others waited as Oran collected all the backup dancers he could. After a few minutes, Oran reappeared, followed by a small band of motelings. Oran announced, "I could only scrape up about twenty-four others." Oran stated glumly. Mote consoled his friend. "No worries there, pal! I don't need all of us to kick Lorcan's ass!" Mote flew up to the band of moteling dancers."Hey, chums! Glad ya all could make it." A small yellow moteling replied from the crowd."You better be. We're really sticking our necks out for you, Mote." Mote smiled graciously as he nodded."I ams!" Mote stared at the small group as he wiped away a tear from his eye. A moment later, he announced, "Alright, whoes ready to finally leave this claris-aweful cave and enter the new world?" The little motelings looked at each other in concern. A second later, Eary chimed in, "And save it!" The moteling band erupted in unison as Eary and Mote looked at each other knowingly.

As the teens and motelings left the chamber, Alice inquired, "So where is this dance off supposed to be happening?" Mote replied as he lead the way "We's got a special place just for this!" Mei Interjected "But I thought no one has ever challenged Lorcan before." Mote explained "True. But we also use the sanctoriums concert hall for all kinds of events. We motelings loChapter 20: The King of the Fairiesve to get down." Mei amused by the spectical giggled "Well that explains it then." Mote looked back and nodded in excitement as the group arrived at their location.

It was a large chamber, shining in irridecent lights. The strange ore that that lay scattered around the cavern walls outside, was the main substance of the walls. Smoothed and polished, light seemed to cascade off of the surface as Eary and his friends moved to the large stage in the center. There, Lorcan, Anu, Rowan and the other motelings awaited their arrival.

Anu moved to the center and announced "Today we have a special event. Our current king Lorcan has been challenged by the former king, Mote." Eary could hear whispers and murmering amongst the motelings by the revelation. Anu continued "The rules are as followed: Each competitor will engage in dance, with the assistance of their squad, to sway the hearts of our people. There will be three dances, the one who has gathered more motelings to their side is our new king." Anu glanced at Lorcan and Mote "Are you ready?" Mote nodded while Lorcan stated "Of course, I have been a bit peckish today." Anu flashed a concerned look as the two took to their corners.

Lorcan as king was allowed to go first. He took to the center, his derriere a glow in orange light. As he bumped his little fanny, a serene melody filled the room. As the melody echoed in the stone chamber, Lorcan took to the air. Swaying to the beat Lorcan's back up arrived. In unison they encircled him, creating a spectical of light and music. Lorcan landed. In a defiant display, he and his motelings danced aggressively at Mote, Oran, and the others. Each move was precision, as the formation of motelings attempted to serve Mote. As the arrangement came to and end, Mote rolled his eyes and got his group in position.

Mote walked forward. He stood alone, with his squad close behind. As all eyes watched, he began to twerk his little rear. A familiar beat started to resonate in the concert hall. Alice raised an eyebrow "Mony Mony?" Mei chuckled and Eary held his breath. As Mote began to sing and spin, his moteling brethren joined. The hive mind worked in Mote's favor as the band of fairies nailed Mote's movements. Eary examined the room. The moteling judges seemed confused at first. Then he noticed a few of their hind ends light up. Then, a few more. As Mote continued to slay, the motelings were clearly enraptured by his performance. As Mote rode the pony, mony mony, Lorcan was visibly shaken. As his dance concluded The three teens erupted in cheers and applause.

Lorcan was displeased by the display. For his next song he began to sway his backside to and frow. As he gestured and undulated, a haunting melody began to fill the hall. Lorcan's motelings came in and out of existence, as if linked to the notes themselves. Has the harmonic symphony of light concluded, Eary felt uneasy. Mote however, was standing tall. All 8 inches of him.

For Mote's second performance, he walked up to the center of the stage. Mote's butt started to illuminate. As the sound of a fast beat started to eminate from the light, Mote proudly stated "Let's do it!" As Mote began to lip sinc and dance, the other motelings joined in. Eary whispered to Alice "Can't hold us." Alice smiled and nodded as Mote continued to fight for his world. As Mote commanded his squad, the motelings flashed in and out of existence to the beat. As he sang the motelings surrounded him, dancing in a sphere around the determined Mote. The new song filled the ampetheter. Mote channeled all of his sass, as his moteling stomped the ground defiantly. The spinning and swirling of moteling and light created a majestic fountain of rainbow illumination. As the squad finished serving up contemporary artistry, Lorcan looked as if he shit himself.

"Erm, eh, well, that was a very good attempt, Mote." As Lorcan spoke, the crowd of motelings booed. Mote, in enthusiastic suprise, glanced from one end of the room to the next. Eary saw as Mote's eyes teared up. A moment that was short-lived.

Moments later, Lorcan stilled the crowd. "Silence!" He erupted loudly, over the spectical that was Mote's newfound adoration. "There is one final dance. This one shall be a duet!" Lorcan shimmered to Anu."She will be my dance partner." Anu graciously pushed the king away."Lorcan, I simply cannot. It would be..." Lorcan interrupted Anu's protests."That will be all my sweet. This is a command from your liege." Anu grimaced as she nodded in compliance. Mote's expression grew increasingly annoyed at the sight. "Hey now! Why don't cha' lose on your own now. You're good at that ya creepy dick." Lorcan ignored Mote as he and Anu proceeded to the center stage.

Lorcab extended his hand. As he lowered it, the whole rooms ambiance grew dim, as a soft, serene melody shifted through the still air. Lorcan took Anu by the paw. Spinning her in a swirl of light red light. The two moved in harmonic grace as Lorcan tossed Anu into the air. A spot light of indiscernible origin caught the small red moteling mid-air. Zooming up to intercept her, Anu and Lorcan spun, creating a shower of orange and red. As the music concluded, the two landed gracefully on the stage. As they did, the whole of the motelings erupted in applause.

Mote looked flabbergasted, as Lorcan quieted the crowd once more. "Well, Mote. It would seem it is your turn." Giving a quiet giggle he whispered. "Good luck."

Mote flew to the teens. Urgently, he spat out, "Kid! Remember our number one video of all time?" Eary hesitated."Yes. But that was just you teaching me to lip sync." Mote nodded frantically."I knows it was! But I never told you." Eary looked puzzled."What is it, Mote?" Mote replied earnestly "Your a real natural kid. A star in the making." Mote smiled, nodding aggressively. Eary glanced to his two friends. Alice, smirking softly, added, "I can see it." Mei giggled loudly."Yeah." Eary beamed with undeserved pride."You know, I do get good ideas." Mote exclaimed."Absolutely, absolutely you do." Eary looked proudly to his fairy friend."I'll do it!" Mote grimaced "Er, do what now? Kid, I just need your phone to show my squad. This is serious moteling stuff here, it is." Eary pulled out his phone, embraced, he replied."Oh, right." Mote swiped the phone from the boys hand, and after entering the password, buzzed back to his squad.

Alice and Mei approached Eary, empatheticly, "Hey, it's ok. Mote's an ass sometimes." Alice consoled. Eary nodded, but as he was about to speak, Mote zipped back back to the group. "What are ya doin', standin' around here like that? We gotta dance off to win." Mote zoomed away, and as Eary was about to protest, Alice and Mei nudged him forward.

As Eary approached the group, Oran flew up and announced, "Thas is too perfect! We have an actual Claris for you to dance with? We can't lose!" Eary flashed Mote a snide look as the little blue critter rolled his eyes and announced."All right there, gang. Everyone knows their part?" The motelings nodded enthusiastically as Mote continued."Then let's go show this punk whoes the real moteling king!"

Eary walked to the center of the stage. Alice and Mei gave him a big thumbs up as Mote and the others faded from sight. The lights dimmed, and Eary could feel his nerves call out for him to stand down. Then he thought of Decan and their time on stage. In a moment, he was ready.

'Ooooooo' 'Ooooooo' 'Oooooo' a strange sound echoed through the chamber. Then, Eary, matching the words to his mouth, recited the edge of glory. As he completed his first verse, Mote's face appeared on a giant scale, on the wall behind Eary, to sing his portion. As the song kicked up, Eary and Mote spun around, pointing confidently at each other as they pelted out the gaga classic. The moteling squad joined in, creating an irridecent cascade throughout the hall. Eary and Mote sung their hearts out, and as they concluded their dance, the whole of the motelings erupted in applause.

Mote stood proudly as they chanted his name. Anu flew next to him, raising his hand. She announced, "We have a new king!"

As the motelings cheered, Mote settled his people as Lorcan looked petrified. Mote announced, "So nows that I'm king again, my first order of business." Mote turned to Lorcan, licking his chops he was about to gobble him up when Eary interjected."Can we maybe spare him?" Mote gruffed,"Eh? Fine. But don't say I didn't do nothin' for ya." Mote flew next to Lorcan."My first order of business is to name our old king, here, the royal pooper scooper!"

Mote signaled for the moteling royal guard. A moment later they approached Lorcan. Shoving a small shovel in his hand, they dragged him away, yelling out "No!"

The motelings cheered as he continued."So listen up ya lot. The Claris here and I got a lot of work to do still." As he finished, he shimmered to Eary's shoulder. Puffing out his chest, he announced "The world outside is full of wonders! It's a great big world full of amazing places" glancing to Eary he continued "and people." Gazing over his kingdom he exclaimed "I have to go back to it now. But when I come back, wes gettin' outta this cave for good!" The motelings chattered as Anu flew up to Mote. "We cannot leave Mote. We would corrupt, just like you did." Anu placed her hand in Mote's. Shaking his head, Mote replied "Nope! That's just Nocopo superstition, and they're all dead. So let's give it a whirl?" Anu took a deep breath. After a moment, she offered Mote a gentle nod. Mote, regaining his regal composure, continued his speech. "In the mean time, I'm puttin' the best of us in charge around here." With a big grin, he glanced at the hovering moteling female "Anu! Would you deny your king this request?" Anu, taken aback, stated "N..no, my king". Mote smiled in wide as he gestured to the two girls.

As the three teens gathered, Mote whispered to Anu. "Hey, I know yous still mad at me about the whole fallin' from grace thing, but are you single?" Anu rolled her eyes. She scolded the blue king of the fairies. Mote buzzed away with the teens, back to the entrance. But turning back, he saw Anu smiling.

Gathering back at the entrance, Mote and Alice discussed, "Ok, so how does this work exactly?" Mote grumbled."Sheesh, ya gotta think about a place real hard. Wes gotta be touchin' ya too. Otherwise, it'll just be you that goes." Alice replied."Got it, all aboard?" As the group flashed, they were all four quickly back in Alice's apartment. Mote spun in enthusiasm around the room. "I'm back, baby! Hell yeah!"