Chapter 22: Embrace the Unexpected
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. This was a new idea that came to me and I think you'll be interested in the direction this will take along with the new characters I brought in. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
We find ourselves at the Mysticon Base where Zarya was sound asleep in her hammock when a shadow walks in.
"Rise and shine." Ryou said leaning in and pecking Zarya on the cheek causing Zarya to smile softly as she yawned waking up.
"You know I hate waking up early." Zarya said looking up at him.
"Dad wants us down in the main room. Metz said he found something big for Piper." Ryou said.
"Piper huh? Well sounds like she'll probably want us to back her up." Zarya said sitting up.
"She'd do the same for us." Ryou shrugs.
"Alright I'm getting up, but first." Zarya leans in and kisses Ryou back causing them both to smile. "Now that's a wakeup kiss."
In the main room, Metz was showing Ryou, Arkayna, Em, Dante, Zarya, Zhalia and Piper an image of the first Mysticon Striker.
"Piper meet Rosa Leafdancer." Metz said.
"I know that, I also know that she was an elf like me." Piper said pointing to Rosa's ears.
"Well here's a little history lesson. Rosa was a master of the unexpected. She always did something out of the ordinary. Her opponents were always guessing when she stepped up." Metz said.
"Kinda like another elf we all know and love." Ryou smiles causing Piper to blush and rub the back of her head.
"I guess so. Maybe that's why I was chosen." Piper said.
"Like when Ryou found the Willblade left by Lord Casterwill we managed to find where Rosa's Titans were hidden. If they helped the first Striker I bet they could really help our Striker." Metz said.
"Ooh like when she left me Venadek in my Codex Piece." Piper said.
"We should head to that location ASAP." Dante said.
"Already sent a few of our friends ahead and they'll meet you there." Metz said getting their attention.
"Cool more Huntik members." Zhalia said.
"You gotta love that our side is growing." Em said.
"Alright Mysticons, it's Magic Hour!" Arkayna said as she, Zarya, Piper, Em and Ryou changed into their Mysticon forms while Zhalia put on her spy outfit.
"Kids these days." Metz said.
"I know right, all of them want to dress up to save the world." Dante smirks. "So who are we meeting up with?"
"Someone you know all too well." Metz smirks.
In a large canyon, the Mysticons, Zhalia and Dante arrived at the magnificent site.
"By the Hammer of Harmon." Em said.
"It's amazing." Arkayna said.
"Phoenix Canyon, named for Rose Leafdancer." Dante said.
"Ooh I wonder if I'll get a location named after me someday." Piper said excited.
"I'd settle for a Snorkballs special named after me." Zarya smirks.
"To each their own." Ryou smiles when Zhalia turned around.
"Someone's here." Zhalia said getting their attention.
"Show yourself!" Em said drawing her sword.
Turning around, they saw a figure emerging from the woods.
As they took a fighting stance a knife was pointed at Dante's neck.
"Never drop your guard." A female voice said causing Dante to grin.
"Who said I did?" Dante sweeps his legs and pins a woman wearing a red kimono to the ground. "Better luck next time."
"Who is that?" Ryou asks.
"Well, well Ryou is that you? Long time no see." Looking up in the trees they saw a girl with long mahogany hair, brown skin and a spy outfit similar to Zhalia's stepped out. This was Aisha.
"Who are you guys?" Em asks.
"Old friends." The woman said as Dante helped her up and she took off her mask to reveal her face. "Greetings Mysticons, I am Teien Casterwill and this is my student Aisha. It is an honor to finally meet you all." Teien bows.
"Oh uh tis an honor as well." Em bows.
"Been a long time Dante." Aisha smiles as she jumps down.
"Too long." Dante said as Teien walks up to Ryou.
"Last time I saw you, you were so little. Now you've grown into a handsome young man." Teien smiles causing Ryou to blush.
"She's known you since you were a baby." Dante said.
"Oh uh thank you." Ryou blushes.
"I'm practically family." Teien giggles.
"Hey Ryou do you still pick fights with Lucas?" Aisha smirks.
"No, no I don't." Ryou said.
"Aw man, those were always fun to watch." Aisha smiles.
"So Aisha? Were you and I friends?" Ryou asks causing her to gasp.
"Ryou how could you forget your own fiancé?" Aisha asks shocking everyone.
"Fiance?!" Zarya, Piper and Zhalia gasp.
"Oh my goblin. Ryou you're engaged to her?" Arkayna ask.
"I am?!" Ryou said in shock causing Aisha to burst into laughter.
"No, no he isn't. I was just messing with you." Aisha smiles.
"Seriously?!" Piper growls.
"Sorry I couldn't resist. No, Ryou you and I are childhood friends. I just hadn't seen you in so long I missed messing with you." Aisha smiles causing him to breathe heavily.
"Great uh but please never do that again." Ryou said.
"Seriously." Zarya narrows her eyes.
"It's good to see you both again." Dante chuckles.
"It has been a long time. I'm sorry I couldn't rescue you from the Spectral Hand. We tried to find you we really did." Teien said.
"I know you guys did and thank you." Dante said.
"We have much to talk about, but first we must complete our mission." Teien said.
"Of course. Everyone ready?" Dante asks.
Nodding all of them enter the canyon unaware that behind some rocks something was watching them.
Walking through the canyon they followed the main path.
"So Teien, you're a Casterwill. Does that mean you're related to Lucas and Sophie?" Arkayna asks.
"Yes, but they are from the main branch I am from a side branch." Teien said.
"She supports Sophie and Lucas from the back and makes sure things go well for them. She's also a master strategist." Aisha said.
"Maybe so but we have Mysticon Tactician right here." Zarya smiles patting Ryou on the back.
"An interesting choice of title. It suits you." Teien said as they entered a cave.
"Boltflare!" All of them said creating balls of light in their hands to create a light.
Looking through the cave they saw two paths ahead.
"We better split up." Teien said as she, Ryou, Dante, and Aisha went down one path and Arkayna, Zarya, Em, Piper and Zhalia went down the other.
"Be careful guys." Em calls out.
As the Seekers entered a large cavern a bright light shined in front of them.
"Hello Seekers." A female voice said causing Ryou's eyes to widen.
With the Mysticons and Zhalia they were walking down through the cave before entering a room the size of an arena.
"Boy our little team just keeps growing and growing." Zhalia said.
"Yeah and almost all of them are a face from Ryou's past." Arkayna said.
"Makes you wonder what kind of person he was like before Zarya and Piper found him?" Em said.
"Either way I like the version we have right now." Zarya said.
"Yeah this Ryou is the best Ryou." Piper said.
"What's gotten into you two? Scared that Aisha girl might like Ryou?" Arkayna smirks.
"Watch it Princess." Zarya glares when all the torches in the room lit up.
"So you children are the new Mysticons." A female voice said.
"Who's there?" Arkayna asks as two small blue lights shined through the darkness and from it Ryou emerged from it with Dante, Teien and Aisha right behind them.
"Oh it's just you guys." Em sighs in relief.
"I wouldn't drop your guard just yet, Mysticon Knight." The voice said coming from Ryou shocking them.
"What have you done to him?!" Zarya asks.
"Nothing yet, but as of now these 4 are under my control." Possessed Ryou said.
"Give them back their bodies!" Zhalia said as they were about to attack when Teien drew a knife and pointed it at Ryou's neck.
"Stay back." Possessed Ryou said as they stopped in their tracks. "Now nothing will happen to my host and his friends as long as you do what I say."
"What do you want?" Zarya glares.
"If you 5 can complete 3 challenges I will release them from my control. Interested?" Possessed Ryou asks causing them to cringe in agreement.
In a large cave, they saw a key dangling from a chain under a waterfall with a ladder that led up to it.
"Now you see I haven't eaten in a long time and I really want the key to my food storage. Mind getting it for me?" Possessed Ryou points. "If any of you try and fail to pass, you're out."
"Alright girls we need to save Ryou and the others." Arkayna said.
"I'll clear this right here and now." Em said charging forward and leaping into the waterfall to grab the ladder and climb it as all the water came pelting down on her.
"Oh wow climbing the ladder. No one's thought of that before." Possessed Ryou said sarcastically.
Em tried to fight her way up the ladder, but the water was too strong and flew out before landing in front of the Seekers groaning.
"Mysticon Knight, you're out." Possessed Ryou said.
"Sorry girls." Em said as Teien grabs her and held her like a prisoner.
"Coming in from the bottom didn't work, let's try from above." Arkayna said climbing up to the ceiling before leaping in, but that just caused her to shoot out like a rocket and land next to the Seekers.
"You're out." Possessed Ryou smirks.
"Okay clearly going in headfirst is not working." Zarya said.
"I wish we had Ryou and his strategies to help us out." Zhalia said.
"Well if we don't get that key, we're gonna lose him." Piper said when she took out her hoops.
"Any ideas?" Zarya asks.
"Just one. Fire!" Piper said as she threw her hoops and Zarya fired an arrow right behind her.
The hoops flew through the water and gave an opening for Zarya's arrow to stab the chain and make the key land right in front of Ryou.
"There! Enjoy your snack! We want Ryou back now!" Piper orders.
"Not yet. It's been so long sine I had a nose. I want to smell my favorite flower one more time." Possessed Ryou said.
In a large garden, Piper, Zarya and Zhalia find the only flower in the garden. It was bright red with few shades of blue on it.
"Okay we found it." Zarya said.
"Bring it to me. I want to give it a nice big sniff of my Midnight Daisy." Possessed Ryou said.
"Midnight Daisy?" Piper said looking at the flower.
Bending down Zarya was about to cut it free when they heard a rumbling beneath them.
"Look out!" Zhalia said pulling out of the way as a gigantic purple and black flower shot out of the ground and its roots flailed everywhere trying to knock them away.
Jumping back, they saw the flower was atop its head.
"We gotta separate the two." Zarya said aiming her bow at the top flower but the big monster flower swatted the arrows away.
Running up Zarya leaps onto the head and pulls the little flower with all her might.
"Come on you stupid flower! Budge!" Zarya yells causing the monster flower flailed around in anger sending Zarya crashing down next to Arkayna and Em.
"Mysticon Ranger, you're done." Possessed Ryou said.
"Zhalia." Piper cringed.
"There's gotta be something we're missing." Zhalia said.
Piper looks around for any clue when she suddenly noticed a water can at the base of the monster flower.
"Wait a minute." Piper said before turned to the giant flower. "This is the Midnight Daisy." She realized.
Zhalia looks over as Piper ran to the can and poured water on the roots and almost immediately it calmed down.
"There there, nice flower." Piper said as the Midnight Daisy calmed down.
"Ah perfect." Possessed Ryou said walking over and sniffing the Midnight Daisy. "Nothing beats the smell of this flower."
"Bring on the last challenge." Zhalia said as she and Piper stared them down.
From the stands, Em, Arkayna and Zarya were a little nervous.
In a large cavern that resembled an arena Possesed Ryou, Aisha, Teien and Dante stood in front of them.
"For this challenge you two will fight in a duel and as a special twist you can face any one of these seekers." Possessed Ryou said.
Looking to each other Piper and Zhalia huddled to talk.
"Alright Zhalia who are you thinking?" Piper whispers.
"Can't be Dante or Teien those two have more power and experience than both of us combined." Zhalia said.
"And Ryou's pretty tough too. So, I guess that only leaves one." Piper said as they separated.
"We pick you." Zhalia said pointing at Aisha who grins.
"Bad move." Aisha said.
"Huh?" Both girls said as Aisha charged in.
"Hyperstride!" Aisha said leaping in and ramming both of them down to the lower level.
"Uh can we fight Ryou instead?" Piper asks.
"No backsies." Possessed Ryou said as Aisha charged towards them.
Piper draws her hoops and throws them at Aisha who cartwheels out of the way.
"From the depths, surface Caliban Ocean Warrior!" Aisha said as from her amulet a sea version of Ryou's Caliban appeared with a lance in his hand.
"Fight for your lady, Kithane!" Zhalia said as her knight titan appeared.
"Come on and fight, Venadek!" Piper said as her scorpion titan appeared.
Spinning his lance, Caliban Ocean Warrior deflects Kilthane's sword before Venadek charges in and swats it away with his sword arm.
"Garrion!" Zhalia said as her little lizard titan appeared behind Aisha.
The little lizard fires a beam but Aisha leaps out of the way causing the beam to hit Kithane instead sending him back to the amulet.
"Attack from behind, so predictable." Possessed Ryou said.
"Doublespell! Raypulse!" Aisha said blasting Zhalia and Garrion at the same time sending her tumbling to the ground while Garrion returned to her amulet.
"And then there was one." Possessed Ryou said as all eyes turned to Piper.
Gripping her hoops tight Piper and Venadek stared down Aisha and Caliban Ocean Warrior.
"Sorry Mysticon but you can't win with your current strategies." Aisha said.
'She's right. I can't win this if I do what I usually do. I need to figure out a way to trip her up.' Piper thought when she noticed something and smirks.
"Venadek I think it's time we changed it up!" Piper said as Venadek turned to her. "Hyperstride!"
Piper ran as fast as she could towards Venadek before jumping up.
Turning around Venadek swings his tail launching Piper high into the air before she threw her hoop hitting the stalagmites causing them to rain down on her and Aisha.
"What the?!" Aisha said as they fell down hitting Caliban Ocean Warrior before Venadek charged in and sliced him forcing him to go back to his amulet.
Using this opening Piper sprinted towards Aisha.
"Boltflare!" Aisha said firing a blast causing a giant boulder to drop down towards her.
"Fly Phoenix Fly!" Piper said firing a phoenix from her bracer splitting a giant hole in the rocks before she threw her hoops knocking Aisha in the chest sending her crashing to the ground.
Groaning Aisha looks up to see Piper inches from her face with her hoops ready meaning she won.
"I win." Piper said as Aisha held up her hands in defeat.
"You've done well Mysticon Striker." Possessed Ryou said as Piper and Aisha made their way back to them. "I will release your friends if you can answer one question."
"Hey no cool! We passed all the tests!" Piper said.
"But what's the point of tests if you didn't learn anything from them?" Possessed Ryou asks.
"So what's the question?" Zarya asks.
"What is my name?" Possessed Ryou asks before he, Aisha, Teien, and Dante waked away.
"Well Piper you only have one guess." Em said.
"Do you have any idea who it might be?" Zhalia asks.
"I'm not sure. During all the tests I so confused. None of them were normal, they all had something unexpected." Piper pauses before smiling. "I know who it is."
In the main room, Piper was standing in front of the Possessed Seekers.
"I solved the questions the same way we solved the challenges. As you're known for, I had to think of something unexpected to pull it off." Piper said as Possessed Ryou smiles. "Rosa Leafdancer you really are the master of the unexpected."
Emerging from Ryou was the spirit of the first Mysticon Striker which shocked everyone. She had long red hair, and a blue and green version of the Mysticon Striker outfit.
"Bravo Mysticon Striker." Rosa claps her hands. "Great job everyone."
"Happy to help." Aisha said acting normal as the Mysticons and Zhalia walked over.
"So wait, the evil spirit was actually you all along?" Zhalia asks.
"Evil? Hardly. I'm the furthest thing from it." Rosa said.
"Wait you guys were never under her control?" Em asks.
"Not even a little. Great acting all around." Teien smirks.
"You guys put up quite a fight. I'm exhausted." Aisha said.
"It was kind of fun." Dante said.
"I can't believe you tricked us like that." Zarya said hitting Ryou's shoulder.
"So how did all this happen?" Zhalia asks.
"Well when we split up Rosa almost immediately showed up in front of us and wondered why were here." Aisha said.
"When we told her Necrafa was back she almost immediately wanted to help and asked us to help you guys. I let her use my body for a little bit and she pretended to take over us to give you guys the drive to complete the tasks." Ryou said.
"You've got a good friend. Very lucky to have a Seeker like this by your side." Rosa smiles.
"Yeah we do." Piper smiles.
"Why did you do all this instead of telling us who you were?" Arkayna asks.
"First, it was fun." Rosa smiles before walking up to them. "But I have a reason. Mysticons, you all have a difficult road ahead of you continuing our battle against Necrafa. You will all face tough challenges and when you do, I hope you all will embrace the unexpected."
"You have some interested friends Dante." Teien said.
"Yes they are." Dante smiles.
"It's gonna be fun working with them." Aisha smiles.
"Just like old times." Dante said as Teien smiles.
'Maybe something else from old times as well.' She thought.
"Piper Willowbrook, this is for you." Rosa said as an amulet appeared in front of her. "My favorite titan. His name is Dendras. Use it wisely."
"Fabtaculour." Piper smiles holding out her hands and taking the amulet causing it to glow brightly as she started to bond with it.
Appearing in front of Piper was a masked titan with two marionette dragons one was blue the other was red.
"Dendras." Piper said as Dendras nods before turning back into an amulet meaning Piper had successfully bonded with it.
"Way to go Pips." Zarya smiles.
"Thank you for all your help." Arkayna said.
"Ryou can I have a word?" Rosa asks as Ryou hangs back.
"Is there a problem?" Ryou asks.
"I noticed a few things about you when I was using your body. You have quite a large amount of darkness inside you." Rosa warns causing Ryou to frown. "You're scared of it aren't you?"
"Is it that obvious?" Ryou asks.
"It's very powerful but also dangerous if not controlled." Rosa warns.
"But how can I control it? It's impossible." Ryou said.
"Maybe just from your point of view. Try thinking from a different angle." Rosa suggests.
"I'll try but no guarantees that will work." Ryou said as he walked away when Rosa noticed the Willblade strapped to his hip causing her to smirk.
"Well maybe you just need an extra hand." Rosa said as she turned to blue energy before the energy flew towards the Willblade causing it to glow blue for a few seconds before returning to normal.
"Good luck Mysticons." Rosa said before she disappeared.