The Mighty Forest Flourishes

AUTHOR NOTE: I have been notified that I use Toughness wrong but I would like to state that it's the way I was taught and I prefer it this way. I'm sorry if you can't deal with changes but I hope you will still enjoy the story.

Usagi and Trent cheered loudly as the dragon appeared in a spiritual image, like Arcanis did, "Kazuki Niza, you are an honorable fighter. I will stay with you and aid you in your future battles"

"You got it!" Kazuki gave the dragon a thumbs up.

Kazuki was asleep in his bed, not aware that there was a dragon in his room, laying on his floor. Siege Dragon was asleep as well, keeping watch over his new owner. He was very large but not too big. He took up the whole empty floor.

"Kazuki? It's time to wake up." The door opened and a young woman with tanned skin looked inside the bedroom. At the sight of the dragon, she screamed, waking up the two sleeping bodies, who both jumped and freaked out.

The red-head sat at the kitchen table, drinking a warm health drink that his mother made. She was still trying to stop her heart from racing. She had no idea that the dragon was following Kazuki. As she was about to talk, Trent walked into the room, giving Kazuki a light brotherly punch on the arm.

"S-so… Remind me what that was." Their mother asked, taking a sip of her own drink

Trent turned around to listen to Kazuki's answer, "It's one of my creatures from my Magic deck. I don't know why he looks like that, though."

"He's your guardian." Trent answered, "His job is to protect you."

The two parties in the room looked at Trent. Before Kazuki could say something, their mother spoke, "Oh, so like Phy and you?"

"Phy?" The red-head asked. He had no idea who this Phy was. Trent turned to his little brother and smiled as he seemed to glow with a green energy, similar to Kaito's. From behind him, the image of a tall humanoid appeared. It was up to the roof and resembled moss, with the cap of a mushroom on top, "This is Phytotitan, my guardian."

Kazuki stood up, not noticing the energy was around himself, a red energy that called Siege Dragon out, "G-guardian? You're my guardian?"

"Indeed." The large dragon answered, "I do believe we Guardians protect our masters from harm."

"Phytotitan does the same for me. I found him in a booster pack and he's been my guardian ever since." Trent answered as the mass of moss vanished. Kazuki crossed his arms and began to think. Guardians? It was a cool idea but…

"Oh! You're going to be late for school!" Kazuki's mother kissed his forehead, gave him a small paper bag and pushed him toward the door, "Go! Go!"

He got his shoes on, swung the door open, facing the beautiful sunny day, and ran to his school, "See ya later! Tell Trent he owes me an explanation!"

She waved as he ran down the street. Trent took one step out the door and watched him run, making him smile, "Why didn't you tell him about your Guardian?"

"I don't know. Didn't want him jealous of me, I guess." He said quietly as he walked back into the house.

In the field of the school, some third year students were talking with Kaito, who was sitting in a tree, "What happened yesterday?"

"Yeah, that kid totally beat ya to a pulp! In a single draw of a card!"

"Maybe he's losing his touch. It happens to lots of people."

Kaito jumped off the branch and landed in the middle of the group. He stood back up and looked at the school, "The kid just got lucky. Next time, I will show him who the champion really is! Let's g-"

The blue haired student stopped in his place. He felt a strange tingle down his neck. He reached back and scratched his neck as he heard Arcanis speak, "What is wrong, Kaito?"

"….."

Kaito looked up and saw a woman standing at the entrance of the school. She had long silver hair and had a kendo sword on her belt. She was wearing a kendo gi as well. Kaito recognized her now, just not by name, as graduate. Why was she here?

"… Hmm…"

Kazuki was sitting in the empty arena, staring at Siege Dragons card. He enjoyed the idea of having a real monster protect him but… something seemed off. His body glowed as the dragon appeared, floating infront of him, "Kazuki Niza. You seem upset. What's troubling you?"

"…. Why did you choose me? There are many others out there yet I was the Caster you picked."

Siege Dragon went silent and lowered his head slightly, "For that… I do not know. I remembered being at war with Arcanis in Dominaria before I ended up here. Everything was black for a long time but I finally saw light when you drew my card."

"Dominaria? Is that where you are from?" A voice chirped. When Kazuki looked over, he saw Usagi walking toward them. She sat next to Kazuki to listen to the story. She might as well hear it now, since she would probably hear it somewhere else.

"That is where all creatures that you summon are from; Dominaria. The world is split into five lands; Mountains, Islands, Forests, Plains, and Swamps. I come from the mighty mountains and Arcanis rules over an Island Empire."

"Amazing!" Usagi proclaimed, "I had no idea you monsters actually came from such a land!"

"Exactly. It shocked me too." Trent had entered the arena and called out to the two, holding a paper, "Kazuki, come here for a sec."

The red-head and the bunny eared girl ran up to the blonde college student, "I have a pass here to use the arena. I want to battle you and show you how much Guardians affect your gameplay."

"Wh-what?!"

Kaito slammed his hands on the principal's desk in anger, "What do you mean I can't schedule an urgent Magic Battle?!"

"The arena is being taken right now. I'm sorry, Mr Umoi. You may spectate the battle if you want, though."

"I WONT DO SUCH A THING!" Kaito left the office, his group watching him storm out and go down the hallway. They all began to talk to each other about what just happened. This was a new Kaito to them. He's never been so devoted to beat someone at Magic and it was actually starting to scare them

Kaito left the building as Arcanis appeared behind him, concerned, "Kaito. Calm yourself."

"How can I!? That idiot made a fool out of me in front of the student body!" Kaito said as he tugged on his own collar, "I can't let him just get away with that! I'm a better Caster then he is!"

Arcanis put his hand on Kaito's shoulder, "Calm yourself… Try not to make much of it. All I've heard from people was them only asking what happened. No one has mocked you. I suggest you train yourself. Improve your deck. You will be able to defeat him someday."

The blue haired boy swallowed and sighed. He put his hands in his pockets and looked ahead of himself, "Your right… Let's go to the card shop."

Trent and Kazuki stood in the arena, the crowd empty except for one person; Usagi. She was waving her arms and cheering for Kazuki, who had his weird contraption hooked up. Trent had a blue one on as well, "This is called a Medium. It's how we can use the cards in the arena. Without it, you can't play. I know that you've played before but I think our audience should learn too."

Usagi waved at them and stood up, glad she was being noticed by someone.

Five cards floated to Trent. He picked one, looked at it and then showed it to Kazuki, "We will be fighting in the Forest."

Around them, tall trees began to sprout. They were in a glade inside a thick forest. There was an opening that shined sunlight inside, showing the green grass and a few flowers. Trent smiled as his hand appeared in front of him, as well as Kazuki's.

"Allow me to start first! As such, I can't draw a card." Trent lifted up a card and showed Kazuki it had a forest on it, "I can though, place a Land down and increase my Forest Mana."

The forest symbol appeared with a one inside as Kazuki nodded and observed his brother, "Since I can't do anything this turn, I'll let you go next. You get to draw a card."

Kazuki nodded and drew a card, "Draw! I add one Mountain to my Mana Pool! I now pay one Mountain Mana to called DragonMaster Outcast ( 1 Power / 1 Toughness) !"

A card appeared above Kazuki, "I end my turn!"

"Since you summoned, you card has Summoning Sickness, which means you can't use it right away. Draw!" Trent lifted a card, "I add one Forest to my Mana Pool. I pay two Forest Mana and call Wall of Mulch ( 0 Power / 4 Toughness )! I end my turn."

"Draw! Now that it's my turn, my monster is untapped, which means I can use it this turn! I add one Mountain to my Mana Pool! I attack with Dragonmaster Outcast!"

A man appeared in tattered armor and long black hair appeared, holding a staff. He shouted and shot a fireball from his staff at Trent, who had no choice but to take the hit, putting his life at 19. Kazuki ended his turn, followed by Trent drawing his next card.

"Draw! I add one Forest to my Mana Pool!" Trent looked at his hand. Kazuki waited for his move but noticed he was taking a while. Phytotitan, as a spirit, appeared behind Trent, sitting on the ground, "….. Good point, Phy. I end my turn!"

The red head looked at his brother before drawing his card, "Draw! I add one Mountain to my Mana Pool! I use three mana to call Dragonspeaker Shaman ( 2 Power / 2 Toughness )! I also attack you again with Dragonmaster Outcast!"

The tattered armored man appeared again and shot another fireball, "I block with Wall of Mulch!"

Two thing trees shot up from either side of Trent, a mass of moss, mulch, and dirt appearing in between them and blocking the fireball. Wall of Mulch's toughness went down to 3, "Since my monster was untapped, I was able to use it as a shield, but only once per turn. Since you can't perform anymore moves, its my turn. Draw! I add one Forest to my Mana Pool."

"His Mana is at 4 and he still has only called a Defender. What is he planning?"

Siege Dragon appeared in his spirit form behind Kazuki, "Maybe he's planning a powerful call, but it's hard to tell. Maybe he has a strong Arcane in his library."

"I pay four mana and call Living Totem ( 2 Power / 3 Toughness ) to the battlefield!" The card appeared above Trent, "I also use his special ability to add a +1 / +1 counter on Wall of Mulch!"

"Th-that's like healing it, right?"

"Exactly." Wall of Mulch's Toughness went back up to 4, as well as gaining a single point in Power. Trent nodded as Kazuki drew his new card.

"I add one Mountain to my Mana Pool. I also use Dragonspeaker's effect of lowering Dragon costs. I pay one Mana and call Dragon Egg ( 0 Power / 2 Toughness ) to the battlefield. I attack you with Dragonmaster Outcast!"

The fireball was shot, but Trent took the hit, sending his life down to 18. He chuckled, "And now I attack with Dragonspeaker Shaman!"

A hunched over man in a torn cloak appeared and waved his staff, calling a dragon spirit to appear and fly at Trent, "I block with Wall of Mulch."

The wall appeared again and blocked the dragon, sending its toughness down to 2.

Usagi smiled and watched the two continue their battle, "Hmm… Trent knows what he's doing so well. He could have blocked the first attack but instead he waited until the stronger monster attacked to block. Wow."

Kaito walked out of the card shop, holding a booster pack in his hand. He ripped it open and took the cards out, "… What about this one?"

Arcanis appeared behind the blue haired boy and looked at the card, "… Not for your library. Try the next card."

"This one? Alright."

As Kaito turned around, he saw someone walk past him. He was a tall boy with dark skin, just shorter than Kaito. He wore a white button up shirt, neat black pants and had messy black hair. He also wore a crucifix around his neck. He turned to Kaito, showing his two colored eyes, the left being green and the right being blue.

"I'm sorry, did I bump into you? I do apologize." He said with a gentle voice. He nodded to Kaito and walked into the store.

Kaito blinked before he headed toward his house, "I've seen that guy before…"

"I block with Wall of Mulch." The wall rose again in front of Trent and was destroyed by Dragonmaster's attack, Trent smiling at his brother's choice of move, "You're surviving for quite a time… But this is where your battle ends."

"I end my turn!"

"Draw! I add one Forest to my Mana Pool. I tap all six Mana in my Mana Pool..!" The ground began to rumble, causing Kazuki to fall onto his butt, not sure what was going on, "To call the living forest guardian, Phyototitan!"

The ground sudden shot out green energy like a geyser as a gigantic human shaped plant rose up, a mushroom cap on its head. It let out a roar that shook the forest, making leaves fall from their branches. The behemoth of a monster looked down at Kazuki, who saw the stats above the creature. Seven Power and Two Toughness, "Only 2 toughness? I can beat that in my next turn!"

"Don't be so sure. Living Totem, attack Dragonmaster."

Kazuki grit his teeth, ready to lose his monster when he heard Siege Dragon's voice, "Block with Dragon Edd!"

"I-I block with Dragon Egg!" The egg appeared in the way of the shot and was destroyed. "Due to its special effect, when Dragon Egg is destroyed, I can call a 2/2 Dragon Token with Flying onto the field! H-hey… Thanks for the heads up."

"Of course."

Trent grinned, "I end my turn."

"Draw! I start by using one Mountain Mana to use Lava Spike!"

The mass of fire hit Trent, who shouted out from the attack, sending his life to 15. He looked at his brother, who lifted another card which glowed brightly, "And I splice Desperate Ritual to add three Temporary Mana to my Mana Pool!"

Two mountain Mana were used as three more returned to the Mana pool, putting back at Four, "How did he do that?!"

"Well, Usagi-Chan," Trent started to explain, "Splicing is the ability to cast two Arcane spells as one. Now, since he Spliced Desperate Ritual, it will return to his hand instead of going to the graveyard so he can even use it his next turn if he has an Arcane that turn but only certain cards can Splice."

"I use Three Mana and place Cloud Key on the battlefield!" The large silver key appeared in Kazuki's hand, "I choose to lower the cost of Creatures!"

He thrusted the key forward and in a flash of light and the sound of a lock, the key floated to the side, "Now I can call creatures for one Mana smaller than their Mana cost! Ok, Dragon Token, attack Phytotitan!"

The little dragon roared and flew to the giant creature, shooting a small fireball at its chest. The large monster was destroyed but immediately returned to the field, as a spirit, "Wh-what?! I destroyed him!"

"Whenever Phytotitan were to die, he just returns to the field tapped until my next Upkeep move. You can't remove him from the field."

"WHAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Kazuki screamed, "That means… HE ALWAYS HAS A POWERHOUSE ON THE FIELD!"

"This is the power of the Forest."

"Amazing…" Usagi said quietly in amazement, "With a monster like that on the field, Trent stands a good chance at winning unless he can't untap Phytotitan."

"W-well then… I attack Living Totem with my two Goblin Tokens!" The two goblins snicker and jumped on the mass of branches, hitting it with swords. The monster was destroyed and Trent smiled, "DragonMaster! Attack him directly!"

The DragonMaster shot a fireball at Trent, who held his arm up to block the hit, though it was ineffective. His life went down to 13, "Hehe… You're doing well. I haven't even hurt you yet."

"I plan to leave it that way!"

"Well…" Trent stood up straight with a grin, "I don't. Draw! Hmm… Looks like I have a small hand." Trent lifted up a card, "Let's change that with Life's Legacy, which I will use two Mana and Phytotitan for."

Phytotitan was destroyed and returned to the field, "I can now draw cards equal to his power." Seven cards went into Trent's hand, "There. All prepared."

"H-he has eight cards!"

"What a clever move.."

"DON'T MOTIVATE HIM!" Kazuki screamed at nothing.

"Now let's see what I have… I end my turn."

"EIGHT CARDS AND NOT ONE YOU CAN USE!? Well then… D-draw!"

"… You understand he has a strategy here, right?"

"Yeah… With eight cards in his hand, there is no way he doesn't have a counter or something in there… I put One Mountain into my Mana Pool! I attack you with DragonMaster Outcast!"

The mage shot the fireball at Trent, who lifted a card, "I cast Deep Woods."

Around Trent and his monsters, thick tree roots sprouted, completely covering them and blocking the fireball, "Nice Try, little bro."

"I-I attack with my Goblin Tokens and Dragon Token!"

The three monsters charged at Trent, who lifted another card, "I cast Deep Woods."

"AGAIN!?"

"I have many cards like this in my deck, so be careful, little bro. Draw. I add one Forest to my Mana Pool and cast Bountiful Harvest."

A lush and tasty looking piece of fruit appeared in Trents hand as he took a big bite out of it, his life rushing back up to 19, "I gain life for all Lands I control. I also cast Gather Courage on Phytotitan, making his stats 9/4! I send Phytotitan to attack you directly."

The large titan roared but turned into energy and went into Trent. The energy flowed from his body, mainly his arm, "I'm going to show you just how strong Guardians make us."

Trent began to charge at Kazuki, running across the field. He felt the need to block but… He couldn't. What he was seeing now couldn't be a possible scene. Siege Dragon was trying to talk Kazuki but the words escaped his mind easily. His brother, who always protected him from trouble, was about to hit him. This couldn't be. They were close… this couldn't be. When he snapped out of it, Trent was infront of Kazuki and threw a punch, the large spirit of the top half of Phytotitan appearing and hitting Kazuki directly, shooting him into one of the trees, knocking his life down to 11 in a single blow….

"Trent? Why do I look different then you and mommy?"

"Well, bro, that's because you're so special, you were made differently then us!"

"But you're stronger, taller, and smarter than me! You're the more special one!"

"I'm also much older then you. I'm a first year, bro, which means I just got into high school. You still have almost eight years until you're at my grade."

"But… I want to be like you."

"Don't…" Trent ruffled his adopted brother's hair, "I want you to be like yourself. Be your own hero and you'll never lose. Got it?"

"… G-got it…" he sat there, slowly hearing Siege Dragon talk…

"… …didn't you dodge?! Your life has been lowered drastically!"

"H-huh…? M-my life?"

"Your life is at 11 in that one attack!"

Kazuki looked at his brother and saw the energy was already gone. He had a more serious look on his face now, like he wasn't ready to give up so easily. The red head got back to his feet, "I-I see what he's doing… D-draw!"

"Kazuki, use that card now or we might as well concede!"

He looked at his hand and nodded, "I add One Mountain to my Mana Pool! I use six Mana and call Siege Dragon (5 Power / 5 Toughness) to the battlefield!"

The rays of sunlight vanished and the mighty Siege Dragon fell from the sky, landing behind Kazuki and roared at Phytotitan, who roared back at him, standing above Trent. The two monsters continued, as if fighting over territory. Kazuki looked at his brother with determination, "I send my all of my monsters to attack you, sending out six damage!"

Trent took the barrage of attacks, sending his life to 13. Trent looked at his little brother and drew his next card, "I pay seven Mana to call Avenger of Zendikar (5 Power / 5 Toughness) to the battlefield! When I call him to the Battlefield, I add plant tokens (0 Power / 1 Toughness) for every land I control!" Eight saplings appeared around the Casters, "I also use Phytotitan and attack…"

He looked at Siege Dragon and made a small smile, "I'll let him have this one."

"To attack Dragonmaster Outcast!"

Trent ran to the monster and threw his mighty punch at it, destroying it into nothing. When Trent returned, Kazuki drew his card, "I can win this… I add one Mountain to my Mana Pool and use my Mana to call Balefire Dragon (6 Power / 6 Toughness) to the Battlefield!"

A large burning ring appeared behind Kazuki and Siege Dragon as a slim black dragon flew out and roared at Trent. Siege Dragon jumped over Kazuki and roared as well, "Tokens! Attack Trent!"

"I block each attack with my Plant Tokens!" The Saplings grew long and counter attacked all the Tokens, sending them back to Kazuki, leaving two Tokens left, "Wait… Only two blocked?"

"Wait… Kazuki's Dragon Token has flying!" Usagi cheered.

"D-damn." The dragon shot Trent and put his life to 11, "Siege Dragon, let's attack Avenger together."

"Of course, Kazuki." The dragon turned into energy and went into Kazuki. The surge of power felt amazing but at the same time hurtful. It was so much power for a child. He looked at his target; the mass of vines, rocks, and dirt. He ran to the monster, shouting a battle cry before jumping and, self-consciously, shouting at it. When he did, a mighty roar was heard and a mass of fire appeared and attacked the monster, destroying it instantly. Kazuki landed back at his spot, Siege Dragon appearing behind him.

"I activate his effect. If my opponent has no walls, each monster you have it dealt 2 damage… Which means I destroy all of your monsters!"

All of the saplings burst into flames, as well as Phytotitan, who just re-appeared again. Trent had a face of shock but he smiled and nodded to him.

"Draw. I cast Echoing Courage on Phytotitan, which gives it +2/+2 until the end of the turn! Phytotitan, let's attack Siege Dragon together!"

"I block with my Goblin Token!"

Trents attack was interrupted and he sighed, "Your turn, little bro."

"Draw! Tokens! Attack Trent!"

The goblin rode the Dragon to both attack Trent, putting him down to 8 life, "D-dammit…"

"Balefire Dragon! Attack Trent!" The black dragon flew toward Trent, black flames spearing from its mouth. It roared and breathed it fire at Trent, his life now at 2. He shouted in pain and looked at his brother. Siege Dragon had gone into his body again and Kazuki was charging to Trent. He smiled at the sight as his brother jumped and roared, destroying the rest of Trent's life points. Trent fell onto his chest as the forest vanished, along with the monsters. Kazuki fell onto his back, panting, with his head next to Trent's.

Usagi screamed in joy and hopped up and down, "He did it!"

"B-bro…? No hard feelings?"

Trent looked up and saw Kazuki was offering a fist bump. He smiled and bumped fists, "Naaah. You won fair and square. I'm proud of ya."

"You guys are so cool!" Usagi screamed from her seat.

Siege Dragon floated in the strange energy that resided inside a card. He was thinking about many things. About Kazuki, about his friends, about upcoming battles… and his past. He didn't remember anything before his attack on the city. He was a blank slate…

"Whoa! There's a broadcast!"

Siege Dragon appeared in Spirit Form, in what seemed to be the living room. On the television was a silhouette of a man sitting in a chair. It said his name was Mr. Tokunaga. Siege Dragon looked down at Kazuki, "Who is this man?"

"He's the one who created the Medium's apparently."

"I have an announcement for young Casters out there. I would like my only son to announce for me today, though."

"Arigato, father."

On the television was a young boy in a white button up shirt, jeans, and messy black hair. He had dark skin and he smiled with charisma at the camera, "I am Masa Tokunaga and I would like to invite young Casters to the upcoming Magic Tournament, later this month! Remember, open slots are only open to those who pass the Initial Test! Come early and maybe you'll get in! I hope to see you all there."

"Tournament? Hey, Kazuki, you should enter!" Trent said with a smile from the couch.

"Yes, you should! With your dragon, you're sure to win!" Their mother cheered.

"I-I don't know. I've only been doing Magic Battles since this month… I may not be ready for a tournament yet." Kazuki sighed and looked at Siege Dragon's card, "There will be a lot of Casters there… A lot of them better then me."

Day Six of the Summer Month

On my travel, I grew weary and rested by a nearby tree. The tree though, was alive. In fact, it was a leg. I looked up to see a behemoth of a monster. If memory served me correctly, this was the legendary Phytotitan, the immortal guardian of the forest. It was quite the sight to see and the creature was more than kind to give me a ride to the end of the forest. The stories of this monster were right; it is a gentle giant

~ Planeswalker