Long ago...in a time of knights and dragons, in lands of wonder and seas of mystery...
Kings and Queens lived along with Princess and Princes of all kinds, kingdoms sprang up living in harmony for many years, countless decades. But as it normally happens with a era peace, it's struck down to times of war and destruction.
Two such kingdoms are at war with each other. A lone figure in a cloak watches one such battle, shaking its head, Why must they fight for nothing?...
"It's what they do" Next to the cloaked figure was a thin silver dragon.
This cannot go on like this...
"Sooner or later something will bring about it's end"
Yeah...Me. The figure drops down the cliff, pulling out long staff, and a bow.
"Good luck" The dragon flew off.
The figure, through a series of acrobatic moves, lands inbetween the forces of the battlefield, "CEASE THIS POINTLESS SLAUGHTER! SHOW ME THE LEADERS OF THESE TWO ARMIES!"
"Who the heck are you?"
"A guardian." The figure stands, still cloaked, "I will only reveal myself when your leaders come forth, or if one of your best men can defeat me."
Everyone looks at each other "..."
"All of you soldiers would blindly run into battle against each other, but none of you are brave enough to challenge me?"
"I will" Stepped out a blue wolf.
The figure makes a respectful bow, "What is your name, sir?"
"Aaron"
"Then, Aaron, prepare to fight."
He held his sword up "I'm ready" "You may have the first blow."
"Very well" He raced at her. The figure only stands there as he charges. And when he swings at her, the figure blocks with ease, stopping Aaron in his attack.
"Well I'm impressed" He smiled.
"I am a guardian..." The figure swings out her other hand, hitting him with the hard bow. The wolf grunts in pain then swings at her again. This time fakeing a move with his sword then send a punch with his free hand.
The figure recoils, "Good! Very good. Use your abilities as the warrior you dream to be."
"Thanks."
The figure swings her staff and bow at the soldier in a fluid motion of attacks, hitting him a few times.
"Nice to have someone worth the time to fight, unlike the useless fights I get into."
"You haven't seen anything yet..."
Aaron soon notices that the figure is blocking his every move. "You've got to to teach me sometime"
"Some things cannot be taught."
"True."
The figure's eyes glow bright green, "Like this!" She drops her weapons, her white paws gaining a red glow of energy. She slashes the air, sending large red crescents of energy at Aaron.
"Yikes!"
The figure halts the crescents right before they hit, and they dissolve into nothing, "You would have been defeated..."
The wolf nods "I know."
"Keep your weapon." The figure raises a white paw to her hood, "Because you fought with honor, courage, and stamina, I shall reveal myself."
The hood falls back revealing the face of a creature Aaron had never seen before. At a first glance, one could mistake her for a hedgehog. But her ears were too tall, too skinny, and too pointed for hedgehog ears. Four stones sat in her forehead, glowing with their own light, and her quills were too soft and flexible.
The guardian bows, "I am called the Sage of Roses, but my name is Lady Rosetta."
He blinks "Wow-I mean it's a honor to meet you"
Lady Rosetta silences him with a raised hand, "Who is the general of your army?"
A walrus limps forward "I am."
"What is your name?"
"John."
Rose turns to the other army, "Who is the general of this opposing army?"
A raven came out "Jack."
"Tell me...what are you fighting for, John?"
"Cuase their king is over taxing us for our good to his land, when he knows we're recovering from flood"
"And you, Jack, why do you fight?"
"It's all I do, I'm a war general. My king wish me to lead."
Rose's eyes glow slightly, "And?"
"And what?"
"Fighting can't be all you do...Why does your king tax these recovering victims?"
"Truthfully I do not know."
Rose thinks, "Call a temporary truce...I wish to speak to these two monarchs."
"Really?"
Rose glares at the one who asked, "Yes...really..."
"Then I wish you luck" Aaron nodded.
"Good or bad?"
"Good of course"
"Keep a sharp mind, youth...notice things others do not...see the truth and know a lie..." She says as she waits at the center of the battle field for the two kings to arrive.
One that lead the war general, was a harden ram with a face. With little expression he walks and waits. Then the second king comes, much younger then the other. A blue hedgehog. His face showed he was tired but intelligence and kindness flickered in his eyes.
Rose stands between them, "I will skip the formalities and get right to the point. One king is over taxing the goods that go to the other kingdom for no reason, regardless of the fact that the other king's people are recovering from a flood."
She looks at the ram, "Why are you over taxing?"
"2 years is long enough since the flood."
"Your kingdom was not originally built in two years...To rebuild a kingdom is very difficult...But that is besides the point. You did not answer my question.
"Why are you over taxing?"
Rose begins to walk around the ram, "Greed? Power? A dark secret?"
"It is my reasoning, you do not need to question me."
"And you do not need to take advantage of these people, when you could be allies. I must question you...Because of your actions, innocent lives have been lost..." Her eyes begin to glow bright green.
"Ask king kid, they decided to start the fight I went with it"
"Very well," She turns to the hedgehog, "Did you declare war because of the taxes? Or did you declare war at all?"
"My council and I agreed we had enough and sent many letters requesting a meeting but there was no response till we sent out a call of conflict"
"Is this true?" She asks the ram.
"Yes"
"Where are these letters, and why did you not answer?"
"I have no idea, I only got one then some time later I got the call of conflict"
"It could be possible something happened to the letters" Aaron pointed out.
"A setup...Someone must have wanted you two to go to war..." Rose looks at the ram, " Why did you overtax your goods? You must tell me."
"I chose that on my own."
"But why? What is there to gain?"
The ram crossed his arms. "..."
Rose's face becomes unreadable, "I will give you to the count of 3..."
"..."
Her irises glow bright green, "1..."
"..."
The guardian drops her weapons, "2..."
"Don't." The hedgehog king blocked her "It's not worth it"
Rose only looks at him, her face still unreadable, "And why is that, Sonic? Why would you defend the very one that is your enemy against an unknown threat?"
"Because I've learn much since and before becoming a king. Please listen when I say he's not worth the energy anymore."
Rose smiles, "Very good...You make make a great king yet."
"Then what are we going to do?"
"For now, go back to your lands, your homes, and your families...all of you. No more blood shall be spilled during this truce."
"What about you?" "What about me?"
"What are you going to do?"
"Many things. But as for what I am going to do tonight, I shall rest."
"Understood"
Rose sets her hood upon her head, then walks away to the forest.
She keeps walking...
The sun is setting as she finally reaches the forest's edge, her stones are no longer glowing. (They glow when she activates her telepathy)
Time to rest.
She keeps going, deep into the woods. She finally stops near a stream, and lays on the soft, mossy ground under a tall, draping willow.
The air was cooler and quiet. She is soon fast asleep.
~Crack~
Rose wakes up, and using her mind powers, slams the source of the noise into a nearby tree, her hand extended and her stones and irises glowing bright green.
"Hey hey I surrender!" "Who's there?"
"It's Aaron, from the fight before. Remember?"
She lets him down, then sits down. The quick movement hurt her head.
"Are you ok?"
"I'll be fine..."
The wolf comesover. She looks up at him, "Why are you here?"
"I wanted to see what you are planing."
"I plan on sleeping..."
"I wanted to know if you will permit me to accompany you."
"In sleeping? No...But in being my assistant, you may..."
The wolf laughs. "That's what I meant"
Rose smiles. "In being my assistant, you must be smart, brave, and honest."
"I understand"
Rose lays down. "Aaron?...Thank you..."
"Thank you as well." "You should not be a soldier..."
"It's where I ended up."
"Assist me well, and you shall be a royal knight...guaranteed."
Aaron blinks. "I'm not sure if I'm that kind of material."
"Not yet..."
"Not yet?"
"You have potential..." Rose smiles then she closes her eyes, "Tomorrow, I want to hear all about you..."
"Alright deal."
She is soon fast asleep.
In one of the kingdoms, one of the Ram king's personal men is following the king.
"Sire," Says the gecko, "Why did you not answer the guardian, out of curiosity?"
"My reason are my own."
"But, my liege, legends say that misfortune comes to those who displease the sacred guardians..."
"I know."
"My liege?"
The ram waves his hand in the air. "Don't worry about a thing, everything is going just fine"
"How?"
"You'll see sooner or later"
"My king...as your adviser, I wish to know..."
"You would not understand."
"Please, I wish to try...I will promise to remain silent, and not speak to anyone about this."
Both of them walk into the king's tent. "Very well." He finally said. "Take a seat."
The gecko closes the tent for privacy, and sits down.
The king sits down himself. "I was shown something."
"What...and by who?" "More of by what, another guardian I believe or used to be. Came to me one night..."
"Please, tell me everything..."
"It showed me knowledge that normal aren't shown to normal people. How to control the wind and rain and soon I hope..how to bring people back"
"So you caused the flood?" "No I did not, that is something I do not know"
"But what is your plan, my liege?"
The ram smiles."Now that's a secret"
"Please, my king! I beg to know! I will do anything!"
He huffs at him. "Oh fine, very well. But keep your voice down"
"Th-Thank you, my king..."
"I am going to get my wife back."
"And you have been over taxing to get the money needed for other materials?"
"In part." "I hope the guardians will not be angry."
"Do not worry I said."
"How can I help?"
The ram king thinks and hands him a list. "Get what's on here"
The gecko looks at it.
"Make sure no one knows." "Yes, my liege..."
"Now."
The gecko runs out, and looks at his list. Some of the oddest things. "I better get to work."
Later...Rose wakes up to a red sky. This troubles her.
Something feels wrong.
She bows her head, closes her eyes, and begins to speak softly. She then nods and looks at the sleeping Aaron.
"No lady I didn't order that." He mumbles in his sleep.
Her eyes glow as she sets a hand on his head, entering his dream.
He was sitting in a Inn seeming to be trying to order a meal.
Be thankful that you are so privileged to eat. For there are those less fortunate...
She comes into the inn, and sits nearby. A poor old raven, with two dove chicks beg for food in the corner. Aaron goes and orders for them as well.
Remember Aaron, be thankful for what you have...and help those who are in need.
Aaron wakes up slowly, his dream fading with an image of the old raven smiling, and the dove chicks waving at Aaron.
"What? Is it morning already?"
"Yes, young warrior..."
He sits up. "Well let's go then."
"Go where?"
"To get some food right, I can fish or something."
"Then go...but only fish at the bank, and only get berries from the bushes by the pine tree."
Aaron nods and was off. Rose stands, and walks off.
A little later... Aaron soon collects all the food they need for breakfast. "Hello? I'm back with food"
Good...
"Where are you?"
I am where I need to be...But I will be there shortly. Make a fire and cook the fish.
"Rodger."
Rose soon returns, "The forest is pleasant, isn't it?"
"Best place ever." "I am happy to hear that." Rose sits down, removing her hood from her head.
Aaron hands her some fish.
"Thank you," Rose takes it, then seems to pray over it before beginning to eat it. She looks down, "Something isn't right in these lands...The sky was red, and the trees weren't singing with the birds. Even the water wasn't laughing..."
"It does that for you?"
"They are usually so happy, so joyous, if you learn to listen to them...But they are all silent now, and fear is in the air."
Aaron looks around. "..."
He does feel a bit disturbed by how the birds aren't chirping, and there is no wind in the trees.
"What does it mean?" "Someone is messing with evil powers they shouldn't be..." Rose sighs, " Aaron, why do so many turn to witchcraft, tarot cards, and channeling spirits?"
"Cuase they don't understand what their doing?"
Rose nods. She stands, looking very troubled, "I fear that your war is the least of our problems."
Aaron glances around. "All the animals are just hiding"
"That isn't what is bugging me..." She is so worried, that she has forgotten to eat.
"Then what?" "I don't know...I don't know everything."
"Sorry."
"You don't need to apologize..." Rose looks at him, "Before we do anything, I need to know a few things about you. Tell me a little about yourself."
"There's no much to tell you. Raise by normal farmers, trouble maker, loved riding and racing horses."
"Trouble maker?"
"I knocked over alot of food stands when I was younger."
"Why?" "Racing horses"
"It must have been an accident...Did you go back and apologize?"
"Yes"
"Then you were no trouble maker...But what was your family like?"
"My dad was very strong and helpful, he was off working alot. Mom was the sweetest and most kind lady you'd ever meet." "Tell me more..." Rose seems very interested.
"Well often she'd invite other people to come out our house for a large dinner. Dad often fixed broken wagons and plows for free."
"That must have been nice."
"Only time it wasn't was when the boy from the farm next to us gave all his cold."
"Are they still alive?"
"Well..." The wolf sighed. "I know mom is, but dad...I can only hope"
"What happened?"
"Don't know. Went to work on the fields one day and didn't come back."
"When did this happen?" "About 7 years ago. I was 12."
Her ears go down, "I'm sorry..."
"Don't worry."
Rose pulls her hood up to hide her face. "We should get to business...We must find out what is happening, and who is behind all of this...Many people on the battle field were blocking my mind powers yesterday..."
"Lead the way."
She goes in the direction of the ram's kingdom. And both travel that way for several hours.
(And for their sake of bonding and lacking some idea. Let's say a day or two passed.)
They walk along the road, Rose always keeping her hood up over her head.
"Is that something guardians do?" Aaron asked.
"What is something guardians always do?"
"Wearing a hood on their head."
"I wear it for many reasons...my strange looks are one reason, and humility is another. I know not of the clothing habits of others."
"Oh I see, sorry if I seemed blunt." "No, you have a right to ask..." She says quietly. Her voice has a hint of sadness in it.
"Then your free to ask me as well if you want."
Rose nods, but says nothing. There was just the sounds of feet. The ram's castle soon is seen on the horizon. Its spires reach high for the clouds.
"Take off your armor and hide it in those bushes."
Aaron did just that. Rose then pulled out some brown robes for him to wear.
Now they were ready to go. Rose walked to the Castle entrance.
"No guards..." "Not normal."
"Not for a general king." Rose's eyes begin to glow, and the stones on her forehead pulse as she searches for other life forms.
Alot of them were in the main hall, where dinner was normally served. Rose's stones now had a steady glow as she began to read a few minds.
"What's going on?"
"I'm worried..."
"What was that shadow thing?"
"Shadow thing?" She said out loud.
"What?" Aaron asked.
"We must go into the main hall." The two of them walk into the courtyard.
"Should be to the right" "Stay right behind me." Rose knocks on the door.
The mumbling they heard stopped.
"Allow us lowly travelers entrance into the grand hall of this great castle," Announces Rose in a strong voice.
"Just step back the doors open towards you" Rose and Aaron waited as the doors slowly creaked open. They walked through, and the doors shut behind them.
There were several people there.
"Please, we are lowly travelers in need of shelter. Our home was flooded, and we have no where to go..."
Aaron, do not be alarmed, I am speaking in your mind. The occupants of this castle see us as two anthro sparrows because of my mind trickery. You must pretend that I am your wife for now.
"Um..ok
"Yes we need help"
"Wait here," Says one of the soldiers in the room, and he goes to the king's quarters. "My lord, there are two travelers seeking shelter in your castle. Shall I send them away?" He says from the open doorway.
"Nah, let them if maybe they can work."
"Work, Sire?"
"Earn their keep" "Would you like for them to be brought up to you for inspection?"
"No." "Then what job should these two sparrows get."
"Something in the kitchen."
"As you wish, Sire." The guard leaves.
"I think he's coming back" Aaron whispered in his mind to Rose.
Very observant...
"So, good guard, may we stay?"
"Yes" "Thank you."
"But you have to work to stay, there's spots open in the kicthen for you both."
The two nod, and follow the guard.
I sense great corruption within this place. Do you feel it, too?
"I...I don't know" Are you alright?
"I'm fine" ...
"Really"
Rose sighs, but says nothing more as they follow the guard. The gecko that the king sent to get the unusual items runs past them towards the king's chamber.
"That was weird" What, Aaron?
"Did you see what that guy had?"
Yes...but what did you see?
A ~insert weird things here~
Odd... Rose suddenly holds a hand to her chest, leaning against the wall.
"Rose?"
She feels ill, but recovers, "I-I'm alright..." Aaron tell their escort that she was a little under the weather but fine otherwise. Rose leans on him as they walk through the hall. Something is very wrong here...
"But I can't tell what" "H-How much farther, good guard?"
"Around the corner."
Rose nods. And they follow after. When they get to their destination, they find a huge kitchen. In a small open room off to one side are bunk beds for servants who don't have their own rooms.
"You start working right when your ready." When he leaves, Rose sits on one of the bunks. She pulls her hood down.
Aaron sees dark drip markings under her now yellowish green eyes. "Rose, you ok?"
She slowly looks at him, "Sh-She's here..."
"Who's here?"
Rose looks ready to pass out, "T-Tempest..."
Aaron wasn't sure who that was but he puts a hand on her shoulder. "Just take it easy, now tell me about her."
"I can't tell you everything...But she is evil, cruel, psychotic...if you see her, run...just run..." Rose tries to calm herself.
"You rest and I'll take a look around." "Be careful..."
Aaron nods and leaves the room. Rose tries to rest.