/The Tournament of Power has reached its end. Rota... who was exposed to be the Dark energy of Griffon, summoned a ferocious Cerberus on the Max, Monica, and Cain. After defeating it, a large crater appeared right below the three and dropped them into the chamber that contained Arisa, the Goddess of Time. Now that she is awaken, they have a new mission, find the Goddess's powers that are contained in 12 Talismans. The adventure starts right now! /

Chapter 6:

The 1st Talisman!

Gaspard's Return!

Max and Monica stood outside the monster-infested town of Palm Brinks and watched it from atop a hill. They were busy thinking of the words from Arisa and what they would do next.

"12 Talismans, huh..." Max said as he sat on the grass with his hat by his side. The sun shined his on his blonde hair. "They must be all over the world... how could we find them all?"

"Well..." Monica wasn't too far. She was leaning against a long dead tree staring at Max. "If anyone knows how to find them, Crest might. Arisa did say she had one of the Talismans. She could probably shed some more light on the situation."

"Must be tough for a goddess to have no power..." Max said as he stood up.

"That reminds me..." Monica walked over to him and looked at him with a stern look in the eyes. "You had a weird looking face when you were STARING at her..."

"Staring?" Max stammered out nervously.

"Yeah... when she was naked..."

"Well... uh... I..." Max waved his hands in defense. "I was..."

"I'm here!!!" Someone shouted to them. They both turned to see Cain walking towards them carrying several brown bags. "And I bring you good, valuable crap!" He dropped the bags down and dug into one of them.

"Where'd you get all this stuff?" Max asked.

"Gift shop! All that prize money for winnin' the tournament paid for it! 20,000 Gilda!" He pulled out several pieces of cheese bread. "I love this stuff!" He stuffed them all in his face one at a time.

"Hey..." Monica started to say. "Shouldn't you save some of the food for our journey?"

"Screw that!" Cain said with a mouthful of bread. "I'm hungry now!" He threw a bag of food to Max and Monica, which they caught. "Eat up! I got plenty more!"

Max looked in the bag he had with a smile. After he saw what was in, his eyes bugged out and nose started to bleed. "This isn't food..." He accidentally dropped the bag to the ground. Several Risqué Magazines spilled out.

Monica looked at the pile of XXX magazines. "You spent most of your prize money on...smut?" she said in annoyed tone.

"Hey!" Cain protested. "Man can't live on bread alone... sometimes he needs some special entertainment for long journeys!"

"But did you really need to buy 20 magazines?" Monica replied.

"Well... what about you two?"

"What about us?" Monica asked in a slightly threatening tone.

"You and Max..." He grinned smugly. "You know it takes two to do the "Lovers' Tango," right?"

Max and Monica's cheeks turned red. "What are you implying?" Monica shouted.

"Monica and I are just friends!" Max also shouted.

"If that's the case... maybe the lady would like it if I showed her the tango myself..."

POOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!

Monica walloped Cain hard in the head with Max's hammer. "You're disgusting!!!"

"Ow..." Cain was now face first in the dirt. He rubbed the large pink lump on his head. "That smarts... big time!" He staggered back to his feet.

Max noticed three small tickets fall from his pocket. "Huh? What are those?"

"Ow... ya think we were gonna walk to Balance Valley?" Cain picked up the tickets. "These are tickets to the luxury air cruiser, the Blackjack. It's gonna be leaving Palm Brinks and heading to Balance Valley, so I bought some tickets for us!"

"Hey!" Max smiled. "That means we'll get there faster!"

"That kinda was the point..." Cain answered. "But also... Buncha rich chicks are gonna on board! Hot...pretty...RICH CHICKS!!!" Cain ran down the hill and back to the city.

"He's hopeless..." Monica said.

"Yep..." Max replied.

The two young teens walked together down the hill and back to the city. Little did they know, the enemy was watching their every move.

Meanwhile... in a pitch-black room, 8 sinister fiends were watching the 3 heroes through a crystal ball. The 8 were all the most trusted and powerful of Griffon's henchmen. One loud, male voice rang out.

"Those kids are aware of the talismans! If they find all 12..."

"Calm down, Minon..." Another male voice said. "There's no way those brats will ever find all of them."

"I say we freeze them to their souls!" A loud, female voice shouted. "They can go back and forth in time! That'll be a real problem..."

"They will not travel far..." A low, quiet male replied. "Not without these..." The demon lifted up 2 shining jewels. It was the Atlamillias that were once Max's and Monica's.

"Hey!" A goofy male voice shouted out. "Rubicante's been holdin' out on us! He's had those Atla-thingys this whole time!"

"They are safest in my hands." Rubicante said to the others. "Without them, killing those kids will be much easier."

"Must we kill them all?" Another female demon said. "That 'Max' kid looks kinda cute..."

"Geez, Valvaris..." Yet another male demon said. "You'd try to sleep with anyone... or anything!"

"Enough!" The last voice, the most powerful monster shouted. "We must send every monster and demon we have left to destroy them."

"Don't bother..." A dark voice replied, causing all the figures in the room to turn towards the door. Standing there, in a dark emperor robe, was Rota.

"Lord Griffon..." Rubicante said. "You have finally returned."

Rota face suddenly twisted in rage. "Not completely! Much of my energy is still spread all over the world."

"Sorry pal!" The goofy demon spook again. "Looks like you ain't strong enough to boss us around!"

"Is that what you think?" Rota formed a dark ball of energy at his hand and fired it into the stone wall, causing it to become badly damaged and cracked to pieces. "I won't hesitate to annihilate any who oppose me. So that means you will still obey my orders."

"The order..." One of female demons spoke. "is to find those children and kill them, right?"

"The order is to continue ruling your parts of the world with no remorse. The person who I will trust to kill them is..."

"No need to introduce me." An all too familiar voice spook. Entering the room, with many scars and burns all over his face, was the assassin and killer of Monica's father, Gaspard. "I'm sure everyone knows who I am by now."

"What's this?!" One male demon shouted. "He's supposed to be dead!"

"Supposed to be..." Gaspard said. "But Lord Griffon has given me another chance at revenge. And even gave me my human form back. Mark my words, lord, I will kill both that princess and that boy!"

"I may have granted you life, but I still do not trust you to go there, alone." Another door slammed open and a beautiful woman walked in. She wore long, flowing red mercenary robes and had her long blonde hair wave freely. She had green emerald eyes and ruby red lips. She had a serious expression on her face. "Her name is Natsumi. A mercenary from a town called Dorter. She will aid you in the assassination of the three."

"Just remember..." Natsumi started to say. "I get all the money..."

"I'll remember..." Rota smiled evilly. "You'll get all that we agreed on. Only, if you kill all three of them."

"Right..." Natsumi smiled darkly as she looked at her targets, Max, Monica, and Cain.

"Friggin' ship..." Cain complained as he leaned against the rail of the airship. "No rich chick anywhere... just a buncha old farts and bags braggin' bout their money..." Cain groaned. "Air travel just ain't gonna catch on..."

As he stood there complaining, a little Moogle in a tux walks up, holding a tray of various drinks. "Would the gentlemen like another glass of champagne?"

"Hell yeah!" Cain snatched one of the glasses and drank it down rather quick. "Keep em' comin'!"

Max was sitting with a few rich people and listened to their stories of wealth with great boredom. Not since the formal parties his father threw was he so bored.

One old rich man was telling everyone present a story."...and that's when I learned that it was a mistake to invest in blacksmiths and welders. Now the point of..." Max was sick and tired of listening to this story, so we walked away, looking for Monica.

After walking around the ship for a while he found her, looking over the edge of the airship, watching the passing mountains with a smile. "Monica..." His voice snapped her out of her deep thoughts and she turned towards him. "Sorry bout that. Hope I didn't disturb you."

"Of course not." Monica said with a warm smile. "Got bored too?"

"Yeah..." Max scratched the back of his head. "If I have to listen to one more story about money, I'd go nuts."

"Yeah..." Monica turned to look back at the mountains. "I got tired of it too. I'd rather look at the scenery anyway."

"Yeah... it's amazing..." Max wasn't looking at anything but Monica. She wasn't award of this, thought. "You know... this is the only chance we've had to really talk."

"I know." Monica turned back towards him. "So how have things been? Bet it was a nice break from fighting monsters."

"Yeah..."

"Listen, Max..." Monica looked into his eyes. "I'm sorry I had to drag you on another adventure... I mean, you were living peacefully until I came and..."

"I have no regrets." Max said truthfully. "I was never any happier until you brought me on this adventure. I'd rather be slaying monsters and helping save the world than just sit around and do nothing."

"Guess it's not easy getting used to anything other than adventures..."

"Yeah... the danger... the monsters... and chance that we may not make it alive..." Max chuckled a little. "Guess we're just a couple of insane weirdoes..."

"Yeah..." Monica thought to herself as she smiled. "A couple..." She quickly snapped out of her thoughts and spoke again. "Guess you're right!"

"Say Monica..."

"Yes Max?"

"Are we..." Max paused for a moment. "Are..." He wanted to say what was on his mind from the start of his second journey. He wanted to know... would they be together... for good. "Are we almost there? I'd like to see Balance Valley again."

Monica felt her smile vanish. "That wasn't what he was going to say..." She thought to herself again. But she smiled again and spoke. "We'll make it there in the morning."

She started to walk back inside the ship's lobby, but she tripped. She gasped as she felt Max's arm wrap around her waist to catch her. She looked up into his eyes with her eyes sparkling and mouths agape. Max, too was shocked at what he did, but he still stared into her eyes. For a moment, neither spoke nor move, they just stared into each other's eyes. This scene was interrupted when the door slammed open. They both broke away and looked at the person who entered.

"Ain't dis... hic!... cooooozy?" It was Cain. He had a red line of blush on his face and spoke in a slurred tone. He had a bottle of wine in his grasped and staggered as he walked to Max and Monica. "You two... I swear..." He hiccuped as he made a crooked smile. "You were gonna... I won't... won't say it! I just..." Cain lost his balance and fell on his back. "Ain't no drinkin' age in da sky, so I filled up on some of the alcy they had here! Hahaha! Hic!" Cain rose to his feet and handed Monica the bottle of wine. "You two go 'head and share it... just drink outta the bottle." He whispered to Max. "If she does it with you... y'know, some cultures call it... 'indirective kissing...' Hahaha! HIC!!!" Cain walked back to the door and went back inside, slamming the door shut.

"He must be having a good time..." Max said with a stunned look on his face.

"He even gave us an empty bottle..." Monica shook the bottle to show that all the wine had been drunken, no doubt by Cain.

"Oof!" Cain grunted as he fell face first in the hall that led to the bedrooms. "Heh... that hurt!" He got off and straggly leaned against the wall, feeling around it. "Huh... Someone was replaced the door of my room with a wall..." He started to feel around for a doorknob. "Maybe I oughta look further down..." Cain started to sidestep as he leaned against the wall. He kept feeling around until he found a doorknob. He was now standing in front of a bedroom door. "This must be it... hic!"

He opened it slowly and saw someone in there. It was a beautiful young woman who was searching in a dresser drawer. The only thing she had on, however, was a pink bra and pair of panties. She looked at Cain and shrieked. "AHHHHHHHH!!!" She quickly covered her chest with her arms.

"Huh?" Cain was confused. "What happened to my room?"

"WHAT...WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!!!" She screamed at him with her face blushing bright red.

"Will you... hic! Help me find my room? Please?"

"GET OUT!!!" She screamed again as she grew my furious.

"Just... as soon as I..." He was interrupted when the woman threw a heavy book at his face. "Ugh!" The book stuck to his face. He fell back and crashed on the floor, dazed.

The woman walked up to the door and slammed it shut. She sighed a breath of relief and sat on the bed. Suddenly, a quieting beeping tone was heard from the dresser. She walked over to it and pulled out from the top drawer a small communicator. "What?"

"Natsumi!" It was Gaspard's voice on the other line. "Why is taking you so long to return to the ship?"

"Shut it, Gaspard..." Natsumi replied. "I had to make sure our prey was aboard. One happened to "run into" me, but he was too drunk realize it."

"Just get back here! We have to beat them to Balance Valley."

"Yeah... yeah..." Natsumi turned off the communicator. She then walked over to the door and opened it slightly. She peeked over at the unconscious Cain. "Better sleep well... you're dead tomorrow..." She silently closed the door and left Cain lying there.

The majestic airship slowly descended to the ground and landed near the Balance Valley Shrines. As soon the ship was completely stopped, a small gangplank slid from the deck and onto the ground. Several rich passengers walked off, along with Max and Monica. Cain wasn't too far behind them, complaining about his headache.

"Man..." Cain moaned as he opened his bloodshot eyes. "Gotta hangover the size of Vennicio Beach..."

"Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to have a drinking contest against that rich tycoon..." Max said.

"You kiddin'?" Cain was now smiling. "It was worth seein' that guy tryin' to hit on the czaress. Poor guy can't have kids no more!"

After several minutes of walking, the 3 found themselves standing in front of Lao Chao's Bistro. They were staring at the huge Moon Crystal that stood right in the middle of the valley. This was where the Great Sage Crest would be most of the time, and this time was no exception.

"Hope Crest can gives us some info about the Talismans." Max said to Monica.

"Don't worry, Max." She assured him. "If anyone knows about them, Madame Crest would."

"That's a big freakin' rock..." Cain said as she looked at the Crystal. His pupils were suddenly replaced with Gilda signs. "Clippin' offa chunk of that might rake in some serious Gilda at the black market!" He looked around and saw that Max and Monica were both gone. "Hey!" Cain started to run after them, but he first pulled out a chisel and hammer. "Wait up!"

Standing before the Moon Crystal was the Great Sage Crest. She had her eyes closed in deep thought. She was well aware of all the events that had taken place, even the new body that Griffon had taken control off. Her thoughts were interrupted when Monica spoke up.

"Please forgive our intrusion, Madame Crest..."

The old sage smiled. "Not at all." She turned around to face them. "I was expecting you two. I see that you survived Palm Brinks." A slight chiseling noise was heard. Crest and the two heroes checked over the other side to see Cain. He was trying hard to carve out a piece of the crystal."

"Hah!" He banged the chisel into the surface. "Hah!" He tried again, but the chisel merely snapped in two. "Fraggin' rock!" He took hold of a hammer and began to pound with all his strength. "Why... won't...you...break..." Madame Crest cleared her throat and caught Cain's attention. "'Sup, old broad?"

"Get the heck away from that crystal!" Crest shouted. "Lest my cane find your backside!" She began to swing her cane wildly at him.

"Okay! Okay!" Cain slowly backed away and joined Max and Monica.

"I guess this young man must be that energy I sensed..."

"Yes, Madame Crest." Monica said politely.

"To think... a young brat like him was that dark energy." Crest sighed disappointedly. "I must be getting' old..."

"Number 1..." Cain said with frustration. "Don't call me a brat! Letter B... Course you getting' old! And 4! I am a dark priest! I have great and dark energy and deserve nothing but respect! Now take us to that Crest guy!"

"Watch your mouth!" Crest shouted back.

"This is Madame Crest." Max said to Cain.

Cain pointed to the sage. "This little ol' hag is Crest?" He was soon bashed in the head by Crest's cane. "Ow!!!"

Crest pulled her cane back. "Yes I am the Great Sage Crest. And although you may be a dark priest, I have been on this Earth for about a century longer than you, so watch your mouth when you speak to me!"

Cain rubbed the front of his head. "I can see you've been here for a long time!"

"Crest." Max spoke up. "If you know about what we've been through... than do happen to know where the first Talisman is?"

"Yes I do Max." Crest said with a smile. She then frowned "But I'm afraid that getting to them is the hard part..."

"Why is that?" Monica asked.

"Well..." Crest's face became serious. "Before Griffon was destroyed, he gave control of certain parts of the world to his 8 trusted minions. They have all taken entire control of the other side of the world. Each of them was given a talisman to use to strength their powers and to make sure that they had total control. They then each sealed a barrier around their part of the world to prevent any outside attacks or invasions. As long as they hold those talismans the barriers stand. The only way to get there is to go back in time, go to the then FREE country, and open a time portal to back here. You'll be inside the barrier and in the country with no trouble."

"Wait a minute!" Cain shook his hands. "Go back in time? Create a portal... and come back? No 'fense... but this crazy crap sound impossible!"

"Without our Atlamillias, it is impossible." Monica said.

"Not even the Hourglass can handle that much time travel." Max added.

"But..." Crest smiled. "Not with this..." Crest pulled out her pocket a small, round, flat stone that had a carving of an hourglass on it. "I believe this is one of the talisman you seek?"

"Wow!" Max exclaimed. "That is a talisman!"

"This Talisman has contained in it a Time Spirit that can transport you from era to era." Crest explained. "But it will only be released only if it is held in the hands of the chosen of the Atlamillias."

Cain was about to fall asleep from this long scene, when he could hear the sounds of an airship moving closer. "Hey! You guys hear that...?"

Crest, Monica, and Max couldn't hear anything. "What is it, Cain?" Monica asked.

"Sounds like..." Suddenly the sound got close enough for everyone to hear. Cain's eyes shot wide as he realized what it was. "Bomber Air Ship!"

In an instant, a quick airship soared above the valley and dropped several small bombs. Several spots became covered in flames and explosives. One dropped right near the Moon Crystal and sent the heroes flying. Max crashed into the Bistro while Monica and Crest were knocked across one of the bridges. Cain was blow off the edge, but thankfully, he held on for his life and pulled himself up.

"What in the hell!?" Max shouted as the airship cruised back in front of them. Standing over the edge, with his long hair waving in the air, was Gaspard. "Oh man..."

"Not you!" Monica said. She hoped she would never see the murderer of her father again.

"Who the hell are you?!" Cain shouted in demand.

"Well if it isn't Max and Monica!" Gaspard bowed. "It's been a while... too long in fact..."

"Gaspard!" Natsumi walked up to him. "Let's not waste anytime! We'll only get the money if they're killed!"

"Damn..." Cain thought when he looked at Natsumi. "She fine as hell... she's..." Cain thought about the woman from yesterday. "That one chick from last night..."

"Well then, Miss Mercenary..." Gaspard said. "Who will be the first to die?"

Natsumi looked for first at Cain, who was ready for a fight. She then looked at Max, who was just stepping out of the Bistro, limping. She finally set her sights on Monica and Crest. She made her decision.

"We will kill those two first..." She smiled evilly. "Go ahead Gaspard... take fire!"

Gaspard pressed a button and the airship unleashed from the side giant cannon. It began to charge energy and when it was ready, it fires a giant ball of yellow energy that sped towards Monica and Crest at an insane speed. When it was just feet away from the two...

"DARK ENERGY BLAST!!!" Cain shouted his trademark move and threw the large ball of darkness to match the size of Gaspard's blast. The darkness made contact with the blast and both were destroyed in an explosion of smoke. Cain looked at Gaspard and did a slow cutthroat and gave him a simple thumb down.

"Grrrrr..." Gaspard, frustrated with Cain's arrogance shouted a command. "ATTACK!!!" Suddenly, the ship's dock doors all slammed open against the platforms of the Shrines and armies of monsters and demon rushed out with weapons drawn and claws sharpen.

"And I left all the monster freaks back at Brinks..." Cain struck a fighting pose. Monica got up and drew her sword. Max locked and loaded his gun and had hammer in hand.

/Thanks to the help of the Sage Crest, the heroes are now in the presence of one of the Talismans of Time. But before they can take it, they must survive a battle against the persistent Gaspard.../

START TEASER:

Cain: Sorry to cut this chap so close, especially since there weren't any REAL fight scenes. But you got to see some Max/Monica fluff, and some of my smooth moves, so that should hold ya 'til the next chap! It's a Battle Royale of freaks, creeps and villains. You'll get nonstop action when we square 'gainst Gaspard and his army of monsters. But fear not, cause we get help from the most unlikely source. A Blue Fox Fairy... okay... a fox fairy I can get, but blue? Who ever seen a blue fox? If that's not originality, then it's stolen! Next Chapter!

Coronya the Time Spirit!

Cain: Why blue though? Gotta see her to believe it...