In a Forest Somewhere in the Boiling Isles…

Hunter was practicing his dual Staff magic as he was showing off his Golden Wing Combat Technique on the dummies.

This technique was developed by his uncle during the war are it was proven effective. It requires speed, reflexes, and a study of anatomy. With precise strikes, this technique could turn their enemies into puppets. Acupuncture with martial arts. It the right pressure, this fighting style will have your foes at your mercy. Be frozen up, lose motor skills, and do many other nasty tricks. It was a difficult combat skill that very few could be able to do, let alone master. But Hunter was able to master it thanks to his uncle's training and studies ranging in many things.

"There, that should be just right." Hunter breathed as he placed his artificial staff back in his satchel and his beloved Palisman Flapjack returned to bird form.

Flapjack tweeted in his ear in a naggy fashion.

"I know, I know, I missed lunch. I'll take a break and eat. I swear you're naggy than Uncle sometimes." Hunter sighed at his beloved Cardinal Palisman.

'If we don't look after you, who will? You need to take care of yourself.' Flapjack countered his forgetful master.

"I know, I know. Geez, you and Uncle."

Hunter then went to his lunchbox and opened it to see the lunch his uncle made for him. Balanced out with organic, healthy food. His uncle has been some sort of a health nut since watching that film about the dangers of fats and sugars. He started his research, studied different cuisines to bring out the health of a person, and decided which sets would make the best course.

Oh well, at least the food tasted good.

"Man, eight hours of study and half an hour as the Golden Guard. Sometimes it's good to take a break and relax a bit. I don't like relaxing when something can be done." Hunter sighed as he pulled out a sandwich.

Flapjack disagreed as he was pecking at his own food.

"Come on, Flap. Relaxing isn't for me. After all, I am the new Golden Guard, I do have responsibilities. Plus, I hate sitting still." Hunter admitted since he was always a fidgety child.

Heck, it was even difficult for him to go to sleep at night since he was a bit of a Night Owl like his uncle. He even had sleep spells put in his cookies and milk to help him sleep. His uncle was loving but he was also crazy.

He loved him, nonetheless.

"Hey, Flap, remember when we first met? It's probably almost six years today." Hunter reminded as the sky reminded him of that day.

The palisman tweeted as the memories entered their heads…


Six Years Ago, near the Palisman Forest…

Ten-year-old Hunter was following his beloved brother Atticus, the Golden Guard with his Palisman staff/arm, a seashell crustacean/mollusk called Skuttles.

"Alright, Hunt, let's see if we can catch some fish." Atticus smiled gently as the sweet little boy followed his great brother.

They found the perfect spot as they sat down together.

"Shame Uncle couldn't come with us. Confounded back pain, the poor man threw out his spine like that… ouch." Atticus chuckled a little bit.

"Will he be, okay?" Hunter wondered.

"He's tough, just needs bedrest for a bit. Now, let's see if we can get some Purple Mull Wildly Fish…"

"PURR…. SQUEAK, SQUEAK!" The arm chittered.

"Yes, and some Rhino Horned Tuna."

"Hey, Atticus, what's it like to have a Palisman? I see Uncle has so many and so do the others in the scouts do too." Hunter wondered.

"A Palisman is a friend for life, your partner through this world, for me, a palisman is your righthand man. They will always be with you no matter what and love their witches-. Hold up." Atticus tried to explain as he suddenly sees something in the distance, "Speaking of Palisman… Looks like ones in trouble. Skuttles…"

Skuttles were already in staff form.

Hunter followed his brother, despite being told to stay put. They traveled down to see a Cardinal Palisman with one eye being attacked by a Cockatrice!

It was about to peck when Hunter threw a rock at the creature as it growled.

"Hey, leave him alone!"

"Hunter, no!"

It was about to attack when Atticus used a fire spell to burn it, causing it to flee.

"That'll teach him…"

Hunter left his brother's side to help the palisman with an injured wing.

"It's okay, I'll help," Hunter promised as he cuddled it.

"We better head to the Bat Queen's lair and we're going to have a chat about how idiotic you acted."


At the Lair of Bat Queen…

She was surprised to see the Golden Guard and his little brother.

"We found a stray, seemed to be caught in a fight with a Cockatrice," Atticus informed and instructed Hunter to give him back.

But the Cardinal refused to go and kept returning to Hunter.

"Hmm… It seems Flapjack has other ideas of a home."

"Flapjack? Is that his name?" Hunter wondered as if it was purring at him.

"So, Hunter's his Witch now? Huh. I didn't think it would happen so soon." Atticus muttered under his breath.

"Take care of him, Little One. For this one has suffered much, and this is the first time he would take another owner."

Hunter wasn't paying attention as he was laughing and hugging his new friend, his palisman.


"Speaking of which, I forgot to ask… What did you do to make the Cockatrice angry?" Hunter wondered as Flapjack told him the whole story, "You didn't."