Disclaimer: Tales of Legendia, its characters and places are the property of Namco.

Author's Note: I hadn't planned on putting Solon in this story, but just Vaclav and two Terrors seems kind of weird. Hey, someone has to replace Stingle.

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The town of Werites Beacon was a lively and cheerful place. The citizens were very close-knit, even with the top authorities such as Madame Musette and the Bantam Bouncers. As such, the town often held public events to keep everyone close together.

Senel and the rest of the party entered the fountain plaza, where Curtis of the Bantam Bouncers was in the middle of an announcement.

"Yes, friends, it's time for the annual talent show!" he called. "The time of year when the town gets to see what you're made of! You have three weeks to come up with your talent! Good luck, and we'll see everyone here! For love!"

The Bantam Bouncers left the plaza, and the citizens went back to their ordinary activities. Senel's group faced each other.

"Talent show?" Senel asked.

"Yes, it's a yearly event here in Werites Beacon," Will explained. "The citizens display their best talents and compete for prizes."

"What kind of talents to they show?" Chloe asked.

"There are many talents, but most people sing, dance, or paint. But really, any unique talent would be welcome."

"What kind of talent do you have, Will?" Shirley asked.

"Well, I haven't entered the talent show myself," Will told her. "But this is the first year that I'm living with Harriet, so I'd like to see her enter."

"Just leave it to me!" Norma said. "I know I can convince Hattie to enter!"

"All right, let's head back to my place."

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The group returned to Will's place to see Harriet.

"A talent show?" Harriet asked.

"That's right. The show is held every year in Werites Beacon," Will told her. "I'd like to see you enter. I'd like to see what kind of talent you have."

"Don't be silly! What am I going to do in a talent show?"

"You can do whatever you want. Whatever you're good at. I'm still getting to know you, so I don't really know what you're good at. What do you enjoy doing?"

"Well...I used to draw a lot."

"Great! You can put together your best drawing and enter it in the talent show," Will said.

"No! I don't want to enter some dumb old talent show!"

Will let out an exasperated sigh.

"Teach, let me try." Norma stepped in front of Harriet and crossed her legs in an innocent pose. "Hey Hattie, I bet I'm more talented than you."

"What?" Harriet snapped.

"In fact, I have more talent in my pinky than you have in your whole body," Norma added.

"Says who?"

"Says me!"

Jay realized what Norma was doing and decided to join in. "Come on now, Harriet. You're not going to let her talk like that, are you?"

"No way! I'll show you how talented I really am!" Harriet replied. "Norma, you'll be eating your words when I win the talent show!"

"Great! Then I'll see you there!" Norma turned and began to leave.

"What?" Harriet paused for a moment as she realized that she had just been suckered into entering the talent show. "Hey, you tricked me!"

"That's because I'm better than you," Norma taunted as she left the house.

"Oooh!" Harriet stomped her foot so hard, the entire room quaked. "Dad, how could you let her trick me like that?"

Will smiled. "Don't worry, Harriet. I'll be here to support you every step of the way."

Harriet only glared at him.

"You know, this talent show sounds like fun," Shirley said. "I think I'm going to enter, too."

"Really?" Senel asked. "What are you going to do, Shirley?"

"I've always wanted to try painting myself."

"Well, I'm going to see what Norma is going to do." Senel turned and left the house as well.

Norma stood in the front yard, thinking to herself.

"Norma?" Senel called. "What do you have in mind for the talent show?"

"Me? I'm going to write a song," Norma said.

"Like you could actually win the talent show with a song."

"Well, even if I don't win the big prize, there's no way I'm going to lose to Hattie. She's not going to beat me with some stupid drawing."

Senel sighed. "Hoo boy..."

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The Legacy's bridge had been dark and empty since that battle with Commander Vaclav. However, the darkness was about to be penetrated.

The lights flickered on in the bridge, and a man with red armor and purple hair stepped to the center. Behind him were two of his officers; a woman with a horned helmet, and a masked ninja.

"Perfect, the bridge is under our control once again," the man said. "Cashel, Melanie, let's get to work."

Melanie saluted. "Yes, Commander Vaclav."

Cashel saluted as well. "Right away, sir."

"The time will soon be at hand," Vaclav continued. "We shall have our vengeance against Senel and his little party."

"I can't wait to dispose of that stupid bandit," Melanie said.

"I'd like to get back at that kid in the magician clothing myself," Cashel added.

Vaclav took a moment to recall the members that the Terrors spoke of. "Moses Sandor...the notorious bandit who formerly hid beyond the Misty Mountains. He then moved his band to the Forest of No Return, until Cashel supposedly disposed of them."

"Yeah, those bandits would have been dead were it not for that goody-two-shoes traitor Stingle," Cashel said.

"Stingle never betrayed us," Melanie pointed out. "He was just too merciful for his own good. He disappeared after we were defeated. No one knows what happened to him."

"Cashel, the one you spoke of was Jay the Unseen, correct?" Vaclav asked. "He's well-known for having more information than anyone about what's happening around the Legacy. It must have been Jay who led Senel's group to us. Therefore, I agree that he must be eliminated."

"Yes sir," Cashel said.

Just then, the door slid open behind them. Vaclav, Melanie, and Cashel all spun around, surprised. They had not expected anyone else to follow them. A man in a light blue jacket and a blonde ponytail entered the room.

"Ah, so the great Commander Vaclav is here," he said. "I knew something was brewing when I found out about the strange activity on the Legacy's bridge."

Both Melanie and Cashel assumed a battle stance. Vaclav merely pointed his finger at the man.

"What do you think you're doing? Identify yourself!"

The man shrugged. "My name is Solon. I'm just a wanderer looking to have some fun. I find great amusement in the battlefield awash in blood."

"Get out!" Vaclav ordered. "We have no use for the likes of you!"

"Let's not be too hasty," Solon said. "After all, I took good care of Crusand Castle after your downfall."

"So? I have no need for the castle now that I have the Legacy's bridge."

"I also understand that it was Senel Coolidge who brought about your downfall."

"That's none of your concern!"

"Oh, but it is. You see, I, too, have a score to settle with Senel and his friends. Since we share the same desire, I'd like to propose an alliance."

"I see..." Vaclav took it into consideration for a moment. "Cashel, Melanie. Let's see what this man can do."

"Yes, sir," Melanie and Cashel said in unison.

Solon bowed his head. "So you wish to test my abilities? Very well, I'm more than happy to oblige."

Melanie pulled her whip and lashed it out at Solon. He quickly drew his sword; the whip wrapped around the blade, and Solon gave a rough jerk, pulling Melanie towards him. As she fell forward, Solon threw a knee attack to her face, knocking her to the ground.

Cashel rushed in with his tonfa blades with a series of slash attacks. Solon parried the attacks with his sword. Cashel backed off, and the two fighters circled the room, facing each other. Cashel rushed in again with a slash towards the face, but Solon ducked, extending his leg for a footsweep. Before Cashel could even hit the ground, Solon continued his spin, kicking Cashel multiple times in a breakdancing maneuver. Finally, Cashel was knocked away; he hit the ground, sliding a few feet before coming to a stop. Solon finished his spin and flipped up to his feet.

"Amusing," Vaclav said. "I see you have some decent skill."

"That...that style..." Cashel groaned, still crumpled up in pain. "It's just like..."

Solon turned to him. "Like whom?"

"Like him...that little brat..."

"Little brat...could you be referring to Jay the Unseen by chance?"

"Yes...that's him!" Cashel stood up now. "When I first laid eyes on him, all I saw was a mere child. But then he made a complete fool out of me! And for that, I want vengeance!"

Solon grinned. "Ah, that's my darling apprentice for you."

Cashel gasped. "That kid is your apprentice?"

Vaclav stroked his chin. "The master of Jay the Unseen...I'm certainly intrigued now."

"Jay and I have much in common," Solon explained. "I taught him the skills he knows. And much like him, I can gather information quickly and accurately. I already know all about Senel's group. For example, Commander Vaclav, I learned that Senel used to be one of your soldiers."

Vaclav continued to ponder. "Perhaps this alliance could benefit us after all. We could use a warrior of your caliber, plus having you on our side would give us a strategic effect as well. Very well, Solon; I'll accept your proposal."

Solon bowed his head. "Commander, I thank you. You will not regret this."

"I will even give you a position as one of the three Terrors," Vaclav added. "You will replace Stingle as the Vicious."

Solon grinned. "I like the sound of that. I don't mind serving under a commander, as long as I get to enjoy the death and destruction that comes with the battle."

Melanie picked herself up. "Solon the Vicious...it does have a nice ring to it."

"The title definitely fits you better than it did Stingle," Cashel added. "Don't get me wrong; Stingle's swordsmanship was truly fearsome. But he was much too soft. He often saved people who would have otherwise died by our hand. But you're not like that. You're a beast, Solon; you live for the battle and nothing more. Your eyes are like those of a snake. I'm getting chills just by looking at you...and I love it."

"All right," Vaclav said. "Let's get to work. We need a plan to eliminate Senel and his friends once and for all."

Melanie, Cashel, and Solon saluted. "Yes, sir."

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Harriet received the title of Sucker

Solon received the title of Solon the Vicious