A New Rose

Sairori opens the front door as they got back from their first encounter with the Baronia King. As the others make their way to gather at the table Sairori takes a brief pause for a moment before showing any signs of movement.

“Something the matter Sairori?” Questioned Alistor.

Everyone took seat to discuss about the latest threat at the table as Sairori checked the shelves for something.

“Just who and where did they came from?” Wondered Maigashi.

“Well it doesn’t matter as long as you’re safe…for now.” Tannen said.

Maigashi gazed back in an unmotivated expression.

“Oh well that’s a nice motivational uplift. So…we’re basically screwed.”

Tannen nodded back in a yes with his arms crossed.

“Well thank you so much for the terrible motivation. So much for our team moral.” He sighs as Tannen continue to nod back in agreement.

“Baronia? Hmm I heard of them somewhere but quite can’t recall.” Sairori intensely thought.

They both continue to debate with each other while Katty covered his ears. Sairori continues to look for something in the shelves. Auroa sat their quietly watching the rest.

“Do you think we have a chance?” Alistor asked.

Auroa was laid back in thought.

“What do you mean by that?” Auroa wondered.

Alistor elaborated his question again.

“Baronia Auroa? Do you think we stand a chance against this new enemy? We hardly had any time to train together since the Labyrinth.”

Auroa was thoughtless for a moment until he came up with something.

“Well…You just have to believe. In the heat of a good battle don’t hesitate to make the first step. Either you win or lose. In the end nothing really matters. Anyone can see.”

Alistor looked back weirded out.

“What do you mean nothing really matters? How can you be so calm? You’re weird!

Auroa’s mood changed with a more motivational tone. “

“Well if you believe they’re stronger, then you need to step things up to the next level. Remember what Axe said?”

They begin recalling their times with Axe. The musician is seen rocking out on his guitar. The scene then transitions to the battle back at the Kabuki Coliseum.

“Dude! We can do this! Specters Let’s Rock!”

Axe and his band were seen performing his song against Vilevelious Amp Master. Auroa begins to narrate.

“When hope seemed bleak, Axe never gave in. He gave it his all cause he believed there was something worth fighting for.”

Amp Master is seen short circuiting with the battery attached to it. Axe dramatically toss his burning guitar into the monster finishing it off.

“Of course! How can I ever forget?” Alistor slapped.

“Just remember. Remove all sense of doubt. When the time comes you’ll know.” Auroa concluded.

The other two continued on with their arguing while Katty placed his head down on the table. Sairori pulls out an old text book from the shelf.

“Found it! Everybody quite down and listen.”

The table started to quiet down as he heads back to the table He takes a glance at them all before speaking.

“The time has come for us to get familiar with our new foes. What I have here is an old outdated history book about Mathias history.”

Sairori started opening up the text book looking at the table of contents.

“I’m going to tell you the entire tale about Mathias history and its affiliation with Baronia. Now listen up.”

They were all ready to listen as he begins the tale.

The Tale of Baronia

“It was cold and stormy. A rainy night perhaps but hopefully they’ll never make their return. If you are reading this then you all must know if I have lived to tell the tale. I will never forget the many comrades that had fallen besides me as it will burn inside. It was adversary for me to tell the tale but hope it won’t be forgotten by future generations.

The day started tranquil. What could go wrong? The news of some mad fool escaping Mathias ceased to worry everyone. Somehow we shouldn’t have let him off. A month later rain has been falling more frequently over Mathias.

Why is that? Perhaps coincidence, but it was just not natural as the thunders roar above the heavens. It was like a curse. As I prayed for it to subside, eventually my prayers answered to me. But somehow I regretted the day the storm stopped.

That very day when the sky cleared a huge massive object eclipsed over us. We had no idea what it was. When I came to check we were immediately attacked. Many explosives shatter our walls. It was inevitable for us to meet our enemy but we did. They were interested in us because we were what stood in their way of their conquest.

They were different from what we’ve ever faced. Resembling chess pieces, they seemed advanced in technological weapons. Each and every one of them bare the same checker pattern on a part of their body.

Their leader arrives down to stand before us. He introduced himself as the Baronia King and the Empire that he rules. We were intimidated at first by his power when he came down, but we didn’t let the thought go through our heads. Eventually we fought one wave after another of the Baronia Kings forces. With the help from Mathias Kingdom we were able to fend well for a while but the challenges gotten hard as the casualties increased. We’ve many on our journey but we went all the way till one fateful day.

Baronia began to close in with their main ship descending down to land. It was our chance to end it all. We infiltrated the Baronia main base. Before entering we knew our chances of making it back was not possible but a miracle came to us.

A strange rose was given to us by a mysterious dark man. One who’ve claimed to craft one of a kind items. It was the key to saving Mathias. If Baronia was to ever to wake our spirits would live again. My comrades would sign a pact with Baronia using the rose. When we eventually made it to the throne room we fooled the King to signing the pact as a surrender form. Right when he realized he was tricked, a part of our soul became infused with Baronia.

The final battle with the King was difficult as I couldn’t bear leaving my comrades behind to fight. As I ventured deep within Baronia I was shocked. That very man who escapes was in front of me as I clashed away.

He was as different from before as I wondered how it was possible to become one of them. I was lucky to prevail over this man as he wasn’t complete.

I arrived to a huge room that seems to be the Empires main source of power. Unfortunately I was quickly surrounded. The King was distances away from as I knew my comrades were gone as I tried to bear the pain myself. The King laughs for all my efforts and agrees to spare my life upon pity. That was a huge mistake.

The very day that I was thrown out of the fortress. I couldn’t bare the loss of my comrades and didn’t want to bother or even have the will to fight on. Nothing really mattered any more. Only this very strange rose was all I had left.

I lied down not caring anymore. I was discovered by the royal guards and taken in to be recovered. Everybody was dying to know what I saw and how much I went through with my comrades. I told them my story and they suddenly took interest on the room I mention being the key to Baronia’s power source. Days later we devised a plan this time to bring an end to Baronia hopefully.

A week later Baronia was at our doorstep as the King came to check if we surrendered. We refused to surrender and began to fight back. Once again I was able to infiltrate their fortress again but with additional help this time. Many have sacrificed themselves as the battle rages on.

Only I and my messenger where the only ones who made our way to the engine room. The others were fending against most of the Baronia forces below Mathias outside. We closed in on the main massive power source. I took a closer look to examine it carefully. With not enough time I was caught again as we got surrounded. The Baronia King came in from a farther distance taking his sweet time. Within viewing distance the man that I fought before walked aside the King. The King stares down at the two of us for a moment. They all laugh at us for our efforts and made me tense. I knew this time they won’t give any mercy and the moment of fate was staring in front of me.

My eyes closed as I dropped myself to the ground for the second time. The King continues to laugh as he approaches closer till he started to lift his staff. He touched my shoulder with the staff like any royalty would do with a sword. My messenger was backed to the walls scared. The Baronia King congratulates me for all my efforts gone to waste.

“Any last words hahaha.” The King evilly laughed.

All I could have thought of was life flashing before my eyes. My life was in the hands of King Baronia. Was this fate inevitable? I guess not. The King gets readies the final blow. I no longer cared.

Then suddenly I lost conscience before the King could strike. My messenger came to my side to stall out the King. Was this it finally it? To have it end this way is such a pity. In my darkest hour a vision came to me. Ghostly images of my fallen comrades looked upon me as I was happy for the moment. Was I really dead? They all smiled back and nodded it wasn’t time for me.

They told me to fight till my last breath but I kept telling them it is hopeless and that I’ve given up already. The rose was the answer that I have in possession they told. I wasn’t sure what they meant till they raised my hopes back. One of my comrades suddenly spoke out.

“Stop blaming yourself. We may be gone but a part of us still live within that rose.

They then all smacked me to my senses as I woke up staring at the King above me. The King gets ready to finish me this time as nothing really matters came to my mind now. My friends, comrades. They were here with me the whole time.

I jumped pit of the way quickly and take action surprising the King. My messenger shriveled to the side weeping. Nothing really mattered now. Weather I live or die I shall live on bounded within this rose. I grabbed my sword making the King think I wanted a duel. But I turned my eyes to the engine. I plunged my sword within the engine getting electrocuted without a care.

Then after blood ran through my chest. The King was behind with his staff penetrating through a part of my chest. I continued to bleed out but noticed the King weakening as well. The man that was with the King became angry as I saw them malfunctioning. My messenger suddenly recalls something about the engine while paying a close eye to it.

The King only had his eyes focus on me at this point. The messenger tells me if it can be turned on can’t it be turned off? Things became clear now as I figured what I must do with this engine. With very little luck I found only a standby option which I set for Baronia to sleep.

The old man became angered at us as he quickly rushed to pull an emergency switch for this whole mechanical fortress to escape to who knows where.

The entire Baronia fleet fell into a deep sleep as the King collapsed. His staff plunged out of my body as I no longer cared. My journey has now come to an end. To my surprise I didn’t expect the messenger to have the energy to help me escape.

Together we viewed the fortress from a distance leaving our world. I was brought back to Mathias to recover but this time it was no good. My wound was deep, and I had only a matter of days to live. With this rose in my hand nothing really mattered.

I spent my last days honored by the Kingdom. I wasn’t sure how long Baronia sleep but know they’ll return one day. When they return hopefully the next generation will be more ready than we were.

I have lived to tell the tale and hopefully it won’t be buried and forgotten. The torch has been passed on. We did our best to preserve the peace and future for the next generation.

Upon my dying breaths my final request was to ensure parts of the Rose be hidden away. Entrusted by my messenger to carry out with a map. We may be gone but we’ll live on within this rose to help you fight. If Baronia returns please find us.

I owe my greatest gratitude to the maker of this Rose. This all wouldn’t have been possible without you Mr. Rare.”

The Story concludes from there. Alistor was immediately shocked.

“Rare? Mr. Rare! They were involved with him as well.”

“You now know.” Sairori nods.

Alistor immediately got up from the table.

“Then we have to find them. These guys know something about Rare and I must know.”

“Whoah…easy there.” Maigashi pestered. “One thing at a time first.”

The team quickly left outside for a walk.

“What is your opinion on all about this Baronia business Tannen?” Alistor asked.

“When the time comes, we’ll just give it our all.”

They all continue downtown. Auroa and Maigashi were behind as Katty was in the center and mentions something.

“So the story that was told to us said something about seeking the rose that was hidden away by that messenger?”

Alistor wasn’t sure where to begin.

“Seeking them would be hard because we need a map to start.” He sighed.

“Well I guess your right about that.” As Katty seems lost.

They all continue walking till they felt they had enough time to stall. They make their way back to Sairori to see him staring at the package Alistor returned from the errand.

“So what is with the package?” Maigashi wondered.

Everyone was beginning to get curios about it as he opened it. Sairori pulls out the first layer of tapes and then the second. He gets confused around the way it was packaged to try to find an opening.

“Whoever packaged this was pretty stupid.” Yawned Maigashi.

Sairori attempts to rip it and struggles. He spots a small dent opening and tries getting it opened from there.

“Blasted thing. Open up already. Stupid package!”

Sairori lost his patience in opening the package and throws it. Maigashi started giggling a bit as Tannen remained jolly and patient. Katty picks up the box.

“I’ll get it open!”

Sairori steps aside for Katty. He draws out his ninja blade and slice the package opened. Katty checks the box to see what is inside.

“What is in there?” Asked Tannen.

Everyone continues to wonder what is in that box as Katty reaches his hand inside it. Katty then screamed in pain. Everybody including Sairori became more alert.

“Oh my Katty are you hurt? Are you okay?” Roared Sairori while the rest had a little panic tantrum running in circles for a brief moment.

He then slipped a smile.

“Fooled you all ha” Giggled Katty. “It’s a map. A very old one indeed.”

“Well let’s check it I suppose.”

They unveiled the map to find it to their surprise a blueprint to one of the Rose piece that was mentioned in the story.

“How could this be?” Wondered Tannen. “The kingdom would actually give it out to us?”

Sairori started to drink his tea again and made a reply.

“That map must have remained with them for many generations. I guess somehow they forgot and decided it was time to throw things away.”

Alistor started to question Sairori.

“Throw away? You mean that package you made me nearly risked my life for was something being tossed?”

A displeased look was on his face while the others chuckled.

“Well the kingdom tends to throw out stuff to make room for the new. Even if it’s a map that was supposed to be kept safe.”

Auroa then points out as the map as it started to glow. Maigashi wondered why it was glowing as they hear a voice calling to it. A location gets pinpointed.

“Find me….Release me…..”

Alistor and the others looked at Sairori for what they should do.

“Well….. If the tales are true lets us seek this fragment of the rose then. We could use all the help we need.”

. “It seems the fragment of this rose is calling to us from the region of Mysteria.” Mentioned by Katty.

“Then let’s do this.” Alistor jumped.

They all decided to set course to the Mysteria which lies far south of Mathias. Sairori got up with his walking stick as Tannen and the others got ready.

“If we go now we can make it back before midnight.” Katty said.

Rushing out the doors, they made way through the back entrance of Emerald Village. Taking one last look at home before setting off on a new journey.

“Hopefully getting to this place won’t take too long.” Mumbled Maigashi. “Sucks that we have to walk. Man I miss riding with Bamboo.”

“I know…” Auroa shrugged.

The party recalls their best moments with Bamboo in his car. Traveling to places as Alistor remembers crashing into a tree.

“Man you were a terrible driver back then.” Tannen reminded.

“Hey! It was an accident.” Alistor muttered back.

The rest begins chuckling.

“Yeah, and Bamboo forced us to take a week of traffic safety class. You remember our time with Ding? Maigashi asked.”

An embarrassed look was seen on Alistor.

“Don’t get me started.”

“Just like the old times.” Tannen nods.

The team arrives in front of a hedge maze.

“This maze hasn’t changed one bit.” Sairori sighed. “This path will get us to our destination much quicker.”

“How many times did it take the both of you to remember the way through this? Katty wondered.

Tannen smiled not looking back with one of his teeth shining.

“Let’s see it was forty, fifty. No Wait! Sixty plus or maybe. Oh! I can’t remember I just know we both been through this maze a lot of times.”

The party continues making their way through Emeralds hedge maze easily.

“If you weren’t around the rest of us would have been lost in this hedge maze.” Alistor commented gracefully to them.

Tannen and Sairori both giggled a bit. They approached a temple up ahead. Auroa took a close look and notices the entrance.

“Well we’re at one of the stop points. A small break wouldn’t hurt. My legs are getting too old for this kind of things.” Gestured Sairori.

The party arrives to rest at the front of the temple.

Back at the Baronia fortress…

“What could they be up to?” Wondered the King. “They seem to be going somewhere and its making me curious.”

Dr. Page viewed the viewing screen with the King.

“Well, shall we send down a monster?” He ask as the King was tense with excitement in his glowing eyes.

“Yes! This is it! Our first monster that we get to send down. Oh how exciting.”

The King begins to look through his inventory of monsters at disposal.

“Now which one to choose?”

“So many choices.”

Dr. Page patiently watch the King browse through the inventory through a holographic system.

“Ah perfect! Just the right one on my mind to do the job and test furthermore.”

The doctor took a closer look at the choice Baronia King made.

“Well my lord which one is it?” He asks.

“Inter-ceptor!” Shouted the King.

The both stepped a few feet away from the holographic system. The King raised his staff.

“Inter-Ceptor! Come forth as I summon you.”

A huge spark burst out through four sides as the room shakes for a brief moment. The monster is quickly summoned by the Kings command.

“Perfect. Now go destroy them!”

The monster slithered away and compressed its body to a ceptor as it teleport down to go after Alistor and party. Down below the party is seen taking a break by the temple.

Ten minutes later...

“Well I think that’s enough rest. We should get a move on then.” Replied Tannen.

They got up as Sairori points the way to Mysteria which lies far south of Mathias. They approach the path but suddenly get surprised by a ceptor of great size crashing down on them. The ceptor was stuck to the ground as Maigashi went to take a closer look at it.

“Careful!” Sairori shouted.

Maigashi starts poking at the ceptor with the edge of his bow. He continues to poke at it a few more times till he decided to turn his back.

“Hmm nothing I guess.” Gestured Maigashi.

The ceptor begins to move as Alistor and the rest notice it transformed behind him.

“What’s wrong? You guys seem speechless? Something caught your tongues?”

The ceptor continues to decompress. Maigashi looks at the rest of them strangely and assumes something as he gets annoyed.

“Oh I get it. Is this more of that silent treatment.” T

The Ceptor begins making crackling sounds as the noise finally caught his attention.

“What the hell!”

One of its arms was about to slam down on Maigashi but Tannen reacts with a quick hand axe at the arm. Maigashi rolled to the side stumbling like a baby. The hand axe pushed the mechanical arm off course a bit saving him from harm.

“You idiot! Watch it! You almost hit me with that.” Maigashi pestered.

Tannen made a palm face.

“Hush! Focus on the enemy.” Muttered Tannen.

Maigashi continue to crawl till he was able to get up to his feet. The ceptor then opened its eyes to fire its lasers.

The monster targets the rest on its screen. The lasers begins firing as Maigashi started jumping and dodging like a maniac. Each laser impacts the ground unleashing some earth. The ceptor begins slithering around.

“What is that thing?” Asked Katty.

“It bears pattern of Baronia.” Pointed Sairori. “This thing must be a monster of Baronia. I suppose it’s here to stop us from making progress.”

Katty and Alistor drew out their weapons to begin the battle. The monster paused for a brief moment.

“Inter-ceptor is the name and the Baronia King sent me to destroy you. Now prepare to die!”

Katty and Alistor conversed about that thing as they went around.

“I never saw something of this before.” Wondered Katty.

“These guys are different than what we ever faced or encountered before.” Replied Alistor.

They both continue observing the monster avoiding the swipes from its tail. Maigashi made his way back to the other three.

“Well aren’t you going to help Tannen?” Gasped Maigashi.

Tannen just had his back turned at Maigashi refusing to help with this fight.

“What do you mean you won’t bother?” Yelled Maigashi.

Auroa smiled watching Maigashi complaining with Tannen.

“At a time like this Tannen. Come on!”

Back up in the Baronia fortress the King watches the battle Alistor.

“Well it seems our monster has engaged in battle.” Laughed the King. “To spice things up in this battle. Doctor! Send down the Pawns to back our monster.”

The King continues to watch the screen.

“With their members not working together, this should be an easy victory for my monster.”

Maigashi continues to complain with Tannen down below.

“Well you should at least thank me geez.” Tannen sarcastically said.

“Saved? You nearly hit me with that stupid axe of yours.” Chis pestered.

Tannen turned around to watch the monster fight Alistor and Katty.

“Don’t think you need my help for this one.” Smiled Tannen as he raised one thumbs up to Maigashi.

“What! You’re kidding me?”

Tannen continued to have his thumbs up in front of Maigashi.

“Sairori been wanting to see how much progress you’ve made. So show us how strong you gotten within a year.”

Maigashi jaws dropped for a moment.

“But!”

“Hush!” Countered Tannen.

Maigashi continues complaining.

“But! But!”

“Just do it! Stop whining! If any of you are in life threatening danger we’ll intervene.” Tannen assured.

“But it can fire lasers.”

Tannen showed no sign of fear to Maigashi about that statement.

“So what! Just go for it. They’re just lasers my boy.”

Maigashi then regained his confidence to help them in the battle as he and Auroa get ready to join the fight. Baronia pawns appear in the cross of the battle as they jumped in. Auroa and Maigashi took defensive maneuvers. Katty and Alistor continue fending against the Inter-ceptor monster only dealing minimal damage to it

“We got to finish this thing off as soon as possible.” Katty gasped.

“Well any ideas?” Alistor asked.

Katty brought up an idea.

“Well do you remember that charge attack? The first move you ever knew.

Well….the only one. Ya know?”

“Wait! You mean the Star Breaker? But I haven’t used that in over eight months. It’s not even effective anymore.”

He continued to ramble on.

“Well just do it! I’ll go distract the monster.”

“Alright but it will take some time for me to build up power. It’s been a while.”

He began concentrating his energy into one place as aura start flowing around him. Katty runs into the monster with his long katana to distract it. Tannen and Sairori continue to watch the fight while Auroa and Maigashi fends against the Pawns. Auroa shattered a few with his the crack of his whip as Maigashi head shot two of them.

“Fighting these low rate pawns are boring me. I want a challenge.” Maigashi blabbered.

“What do you mean?” Asked Auroa

“I’m gonna go for the big one.”

Without hesitation he heads to face the monster.

“Wait! Oh my. Don’t tell your just gonna make me fight them all myself.” Auroa sighed.

He gave a thumb up.

“Don’t worry I’ll get Katty to back you.”

Auroa continue to fend off against the pawns while trying to gain some distance. Energy begins to take form around Alistor as Katty kept up with the distraction.

“Ok, it’s almost ready.”

Maigashi suddenly jumped into the fray to surprise Katty as Alistor lost concentration for a moment.

“What are you doing?” Asked Katty

“Let me help Alistor take this one on. Anyway this one’s personal now.”

He pulled Katty out of the battle to help Auroa. The monster drew its attention to Alistor as slithered to him. Alistor continues to focus all his energy on the Star Breaker.

“Hey over here!”

Maigashi shot an arrow at the monster to get its attention.

“So you want to go again?” Replied the monster.

He stood up to the Inter-ceptor giving off a daunting look.

“You have made a fool of me. And I won’t let you further mock me. You may have your lasers but I got my ranged attacks to counter.”

“Have at it then!” Yelled the monster.

Alistor continue building for his attack while Maigashi distracts the monster. The monster swings its mechanical arms back and forth. He dodged them madly as he started kicking it around to annoy it. Katty makes his way back to Auroa to back him. The two are surrounded by another group of pawns.

“Well let’s wrap this fight up.”

“Same here!” Katty agreed.

The two worked together to take care of the remaining pawns. Auroa and Katty slashed through the pawns dismantling them

What remained was the monster itself as Maigashi continued annoying it. The Inter-ceptor began opening its eye out to fire its lasers. Maigashi didn’t care no longer ignoring it as he takes the damage like a man.

“They’re just lasers after all! My lightning will break through it!”

He began striking it with multiple lightning shots causing damage to its mechanical body. With one lucky shot it hits the monsters main eye causing its vision to go absurd.

“Bulls eye!”

The monsters view and target system was now all down as it attacks mindlessly while moving wildly in a rampage. Sairori and Tannen continue watch the fight.

“Ok it’s ready!” Alistor announced,

Alistor charges forward at full strength and power a Maigashi rolled out of the monsters path.

“Star Breaker!!!”

His blade makes a crushing impact through Inter-ceptor. Burst of energy came flying as sparks shot out from all sides.

“They actually bested me?” Gasped the monster.

The monster collapsed to the floor exploding. Mechanical debris sent flying as the rest went to take cover. Maigashi got up in amusement with their team work.

“Well that worked out well.”

The others caught up to them as Tannen and Sairori where proud for being able to defeat the first monster without help.

Back at the Baronia fortress…

“Oh what a shame, we didn’t win doctor.” The King said in a neutral manner.

“Hmm they seem to have no problem with our first monster. They were just lucky I suppose. Next time we’ll be ready with something better just you wait and see.”

They both left the throne room to discuss future plans Back below Alistor and team now looked at the pathway to the region of Mysteria.

“Well let’s continue on to our destination.” Alistor suggested.

They all make their way to the passage that leads to Mysteria.