The Beginning

---Que: Elendia, OR Magical Melody Spring Theme---

It was a normal day in the humble land of Flower Bud Village. Ellen, the compassionate young ranch maiden, wandered the pathways giving treats to every busy worker around. All the villagers adored her efforts and waved their gracious hands as they received their helpings of Ellen's cooking.

Her daily routine went by as usual, until she came across an unfamiliar face by one of the paths leading to the city. He appeared to be a middle-aged man wearing Oriental yellow clothing, and some round black sunglasses. He also had some black hair in braids and a beard. He brought with him a cart that bore various items.

"Hello, good sir! Welcome to Flower Bud Village! May I ask who you are and what is your business here?" Ellen asked in a pleasant tone.

"My name is Won, young lady! And I am a wandering peddler of sorts. I travel the lands to sell rare and exotic merchandise to curious customers." The merchant answered in an equally pleasant voice.

"Oh, really? Well then, may I look at what you have to offer?" Ellen requested.

"Of course! To see such a lovely lady as yourself brings me great joy! I will let you look to your heart's content!" Won grinned.

The cheerful maiden squealed in delight upon this response. "Thank you, Mr. Won!" she cried as she proceeded to search through the vast collection within the cart.

She found peacock feathers, fine china, exquisite vases, exotic apples, and even a jagged yellow great sword with Norse Runes etched in them. But what caught Ellen's eyes the most was a basket full of Golden Eggs.

"Golden Eggs? Oh gosh! Is this for real?" Ellen cried.

Won nodded coolly.

"But these are so rare! It's hard to find a chicken that lays golden eggs nowadays!" Ellen exclaimed.

"I know." Won grinned. "Luckily, a young man in Mineral Town was generous enough to offer a few dozen of these babies to me to share them with world."

"He must be nice farmers that adores his chickens..." Ellen said in awe.

"Okay! How much are they?"

Won pondered awhile. "Well, by international standards, they sell for 1000 G, but for you, I'll sell them at half price! 500 G!"

Ellen beamed at his offer. "Okay then! I want five! There was this one cake recipie I always wanted to try with a Golden Egg, and now I can finally make the legendary Golden Omelet!"

She took 2500 G to pay the appropriate price, then Won offered her five requested eggs.

"You've been most generous lady, but isn't that a pretty big price for a country girl such as yourself?"

Ellen shook her head. "Oh! Not at all! Our daily shipping has given my family a decent earning! I could've actually bought about ten times this much if I wanted to!" she assured.

Won developed a conspicuous smirk upon hearing this. "That's... interesting news."

Ellen nodded cheerfully. "Yup! Don't interrupt us rural folk! We can do well if we just give it our all! Hard work is our village's number one value, after all!"

Won chuckled to himself. "What a truly prosperous little town this is. Well, I'm off to sell more of my wares around here, if it's okay with you?"

Ellen was more than happy to oblige. "Go on ahead! You have a great selection!"

"I appreciate it!" Won answered as he went back to his cart and started pushing further into town.

---Mute Music--

Ellen reached for a handkerchief in her pack and gazed in awe at her newly acquired Golden Eggs. "Such wondrous flavor you must have..." she uttered wistfully.

She then started polishing her shiny new eggs, but something was amiss...

Ellen gasped. The Golden shine of the eggs was starting to smear onto her handkerchief, leaving a speck of white on the egg.

--Que: Trouble! --

"These Eggs are fake!" Ellen cried. She then turned to confront the traveling fraud.

"Oh, is there something wrong with my wares?" Won asked.

"YOU LIED! THESE AREN'T GOLDEN EGGS!" Ellen shouted.

The embarrassed salesman scratched his head nervously. "Oh, is that so? I am truly sorry for this deception! So to make it up to you, I will run back to my station in Mineral Town immediately and get you some REAL golden eggs! I assure you!" he promised.

He then sped his cart towards the city road.

"THIEF! THIEF! HE'S TRYING TO STEAL MY MONEY!" Ellen shouted as she pursued the merchant at full speed.

"I'm sorry for this foul crime! Truly I am!" Won exclaimed.

"HELP! A NEWCOMER RIPPED ME OFF!" Ellen yelled.

The yelling continued until the hunter and hunted left the sights of the village.

"YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY!" Ellen shouted again.

"I'm afraid it is you who's not getting away, madam." Won smirked.

"WHA---?"

Won leapt behind and snatched her by the shoulder. He then brought a cloth of his out up to her mouth and nose. Ellen moaned immediately upon a few seconds contact, then she passed out in the seedy merchant's arms.

"Despite her sudden outburst after discovering my little scheme, she appears to be the beloved gem of Flower Bud Village. I am certain that she shall please the Master..." he chuckled.

--Que: Hector's Ambition--

On the further outskirts of Flower Bud Village, an ominous shadow loomed its quiet fields. Moments passed, and Wong finally brought the unconscious Ellen into a mysterious, towering figure.

Inside the darkness, a mysterious, menacing in a black cloak laughed sinisterly to himself. "Ah, yes... Flower Bud Village... what a lovely place to begin my perfect plot of World Domination." he said with glee.

A mechanical door slid open from behind, revealing the charlatan in yellow, along with his prize.

"Master, I have returned bearing great news and a wonderful prize." announced Won.

"Go ahead. You have my undivided attention," the dark figure proclaimed.

"First of all, I have in my grasp a shining gem of Flower Bud Village. She seems to be a most capable cook and a hospitable woman in general. Some may not be too fond of her boyish hairstyle, but if you are dissatisfied, you could always brainwash her to grow it out or something." Won explained. She then carefully laid down Ellen's resting body like an offering.

"Hmm... well, I admit that she's rather cute. And if I can confirm that what you say is true, she must be quite the catch, as well. My last girlfriend was not only weak in some essential skills, but she had the gall to betray me! This one could actually be "Queen" Material for my new empire." the figure grinned.

"I'm glad to see you pleased, Master." Won answered.

"Anyway, about Flower Bud Village. For a land steeped in rural roots, it seems they've been making an enormous profit off their products. This one in particular told me she carried 25,000 G for daily spending. Just imagine how much money they must have at home to spare!" Won explained.

The dark figure chuckled to himself in thorough satisfaction. "Truly, we've hit the jackpot with this Flower Bud Village, haven't we? Perhaps I can begin the development of my copious death machines much sooner than I thought! I've made the perfect choice for the start of our operation!" he yelled.

"So, how shall we go about with the conquest of Flower Bud Village, Master?" Won asked.

"I say we make our first strike a memorable one. We shall spare your assassination expertise for now, while we use my trump card to arouse screams of chaos amongst the populace!" he announced. "The first impression is always the most important, you know!"

"Of course. You truly are a brilliant strategist." Won answered.

"Very well said, my minion. Now, Load the egg cannons and make sure the flame breathe is ready! We must make sure Flower Bud Village shall feel the full extent of my beautifully-crafted weapon!" the dark figure commanded.

Won immediately got into attention and saluted. "Yes, Sir!" he cried before leaving through the mechanical doors.

"Yes... once everything is in order, I shall send my shining achievement into the village and crush any opposition that stands in my way! After their surrender, I shall immediately eradicate all eligible bachelors in the vicinity!" he confidently boasted.

The dark figure's eyes suddenly gleamed with violent intent.

"No one shall ever THINK about taking away my sister from me, EVER AGAIN!" he yelled.

A flash of light revealed a sinister young man with dirty-blonde hair. He wore a black bandana white a white skull, some dorky glasses, and a flared black cape.

"I am the Dark Overlord Rick, Future Master of the World! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

---Mute Music---

Outside the humble gift shop near the village entrance, Lyla witnessed the whole incident.

"No... those fiends ripped of and abducted Ellen..." she gasped.

She then spotted a huge ominous shape from afar.

"This is bad. I must alert... them..." she uttered.

The concerned gift shop owner ran straight into the shop. She then jammed a big red buton underneath her counter.

"You're only hope. Please save us from evil once more." Lyla pleaded in her mind.

--Que: Game Over ---

At the Cafe Callaway, a loud alarm activated while the inside started to flash red. The proud owner Carl and his assistant Katie gazed at the flashing Siren for a brief minute, then stared at one another with serious eyes before nodding.

"I hoped that this would never happen, but it seems evil has reared its ugly head once more. You understand what must be done, my apprentice?" Carl asked.

"Yes, Boss. I promise not to let you down. As a Champion of Justice, we have sworn to never allow evil to prevail, and for that reason, I WILL triumph!" Katie assured.

"Good Luck. And May the Flames of Justice burn within your righteous soul!" Carl saluted.

"Thank you, Boss." Katie fondly responded. She then rushed towards the back room of the Cafe and begun her startling transformation...

Carl's eyes welled with tears of pride. "That precious little lady has always been so dedicated in the battle against the forces of evil! If... if only she could show the same sort of promise in her cooking!" he thought to himself.

END PART I