《Benji and The World Spike》Chapter 21

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Benji loved Ultimate Daydream 4. He spent hours piloting Voyager across the skies while playing it. He chose to summon it specifically because he knew it would be a reliable means of transportation. Of course reality was quite different. Whether it was Bob or the lack of forsight of the developers but Voyager had no means of attack. It had no cannons, magic or otherwise, that Benji could press a button and deploy. What it did have was a very detailed tracking system.

Over the last hour Voyager had warned them of half a dozen incoming threats. Benji didn't even know it had proximity alarms until a goose the size of a city bus came streaking across the sky towards them. Fitt took action before Benji could speak. A lightning bolt as thick as the boy's arm shot towards the goose striking it's right wing. It never made it within ten meters of Voyager. They only knew it had died due to the blue screen notifying them that they had earned 100 experience points each. They were more vigilant after that.

They soon fell into a routine. When the proximity alarm went off Fitt would control the bird in question to allow Alex to practice his magic. According to Fitt practice was important but combat against an enemy trying its best to end your life was the true test of ones abilities. Alex did his best without complaint. He even received a few words of praise from his Fitt after the fifth bird had falled to its death far below.

A different alarm sounded from the control console eliciting a smile from Benji. They were finally nearing the outskirts of Raven City. Benji brought up a wide area view and manipulated the map to view details of the landscape below as they passed overhead. Benji chose to keep them a fair distance above the city. They hadn't seen any government aircraft flying through the skies and Benji didn't want to chance scaring any military forces below.

"Where to first, bro?" Alex said as he approached the console.

"Well, there are a few shops we could check but I'm not sure where to bring us down or if that's even a good idea."

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"We could set it down in a park couldn't we? What about the one near your mom's house that we used to play at when we were kids?"

"We'd have to go by foot and judging from what I'm seeing going by foot could be dangerous. Most side streets appeared to be blocked off. More than anything right now we need information."

Fitt walked around to the front of the console and floated up into the air so he could get a good look at it. One of the drawbacks of being eternally trapped in the body of a child is not being able to reach tall places through normal means.

"Show where you want to go and I can get us there, master."

Benji chuckled. "Is that so?"

"Master forgets that I know magic." Fitt proved his point by lifting his hand causing Alex to rise up into the air. "One person or three. It makes no difference."

It took a few minutes to reach their first destination. Benji brought Voyager down as low as he dared before leaving it to hover in the sky. Fitt raised his arms caused the group to rise into the air. Slowly they floated away from the deck into the open air. Benji felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as he looked down to the city below. Rather than risk leaving Voyager open to who knows what, Benji focused his will causing the airship to pop out of existence to be safely stored inside his backpack.

They closed their eyes and Fitt brought them down in an alley near the first store. Zoe looked a little sick but used Angelic Voice to calm herself. Together they left the alley and crossed the street. As they walked to the store Benji looked around the surrounding neighborhood. Not a single person or car could be seen along the street in either direction. Some stores appeared to be open for business but most were still closed.

As they approached their destination Benji couldn't see anything through the windows only a dense tangle of plants covering every inch of glass. But the sign on the door said open so Benji walked up and opened it. A chime sounded at the door opened but Benji only stared at the wall of greenery blocking the entrance.

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"Hello? I was hoping to buy some plants." Benji raised his voice hoping someone inside would hear him.

A small gap opened at head height allowing light to shine through from inside the building. Benji watched as something walked towards the entrance. The voice sounded normal but what appeared only vaguely resembled a human being.

"Nobody wants plants anymore."

Benji stared at the being in front of him. Skin had been replaced by gnarled brown bark. Green vines fell down from its scalp to fall over its shoulders. Benji stared into the two sickly yellow eyes for a moment before forcing himself to smile and reply.

"We don't want any trouble, sir, I was just hoping to buy some seeds and saplings if you have them."

After a tense moment the thick branches blocking the door parted. The man waved them inside as he made his way back to the check out counter. Benji stepped into the store followed closely by Alex and Zoe. Fitt floated by to hover just above the ground near Benji's side.

Benji look around in amazement at the store's interior. Instead of metal racks, intricately carved wooden shelves now held bulk containers of seeds, bulbs, and countless other gardening tools and supplies.

"You have an amazing shop, sir." Benji walked towards the counter as Zoe and Alex looked around the store.

The man crossed his arms, one which ended in a scarred stump. "I'm not looking for a friend here, kid. If you want seeds, i've got seeds. Now, what do you have to trade for them?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, sir. I've got my credit stick." Benji held up the object in question.

"Look at me, kid." The man spread his arms showing his broad wooden chest. "Do I look like I have use for credits anymore?"

"How about survival supplies? Maybe a taser for protection?"

"Sorry, kid, but if that's all you have to offer you can leave."

"His hand, master." Fitt pointed towards the gnarled stump.

"Fitt, you're a genius." Benji rubbed the boy's head through his pointy hat. "If I could restore your hand would that be worth letting us take what we need?"

"Boy, I'm a wood elemental. If I can't fix it there's no way you could."

"Still, I'd like to try."

The wood elemental held out his arm as Benji approached. Benji grabbed the stump with both hands and began focusing his mana. His hands took on the same golden glow as mana flowed into the man's arm.

"Heal."

But nothing happened. Fitt floated over to stare at the man's arm.

"Visualize what you want to happen, Master, and then will it to happen."

Benji took a deep breath and tried again.

"Heal!"

From the stump of the man's arm sprouted a single branch. As the golden light of Benji's mana flowed out the small branch extended out. The branch split into five digits before thickening at the base. Slowly a hand took shape.

You successfully regrew a lost limb. You gain 100 experience. (890/1000)

"I..I can't believe it. " The man flexed his newly formed fingers as he inspected his hand. "It's been ten years since I lost it."

Benji smiled. "So do we have a deal?"

He was a man, or plant, of his word and gave them permission to take anything in the store. Alex wanted to just take it all but Benji only wanted what they came for. Although there were no saplings they gained a large variety of fruit and vegetable seeds.

As they walked back out through the front door thick vines and branches once again covered the entrance, safely locking the man inside. Benji nodded to Fitt who once again flew them high up above the city. Benji removed Voyager and set the airship in motion once they were safely back aboard.

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