The intro opens with Anne's hands on the Calamity Box, opening it. Light from inside the box shines brightly before it switches to a scene that shows Kenji, Anne, Sasha, and Marcy, looking inside. Suddenly there was a white light and everything when blank.
Kenji was on the ground when the light faded, covered in mud with Anne next to him. When he woke up, he looked shocked to see he was in Amphibia with Anne. The two friends stood up and looked at their surroundings in awe.
The camera then zoomed out and showed the entire world of Amphibia.
Tenohira ni kizama re teru
Tsugihagi no yona sono sen ni furete
The scene then changed to the town of Wartwood as the frog inhabitants go about their daily lives. As a pair of dragonflies fly past the camera, it followed them until stopping at the Plantar farmhouse while the sun was starting to rise in the sky.
When the camera changed to show the house's front door, Kenji and Anne stepped out from inside and out into the world. Ready to take on the day. But first, they ducked their heads under some dragonflies that passed them.
Hibiware sona atama to
Gurasu ga sasata kokoro de mae hashiru
The camera moves up to a window on the side of the house. Sprig opened the window with a telescope in hand. He looked through it at the horizon before slipping off the windowsill and started falling. Inside the house, Hop Pop was reading one of his books in his study when Sprig's falling and screaming made him look at his window. Down on the ground, Sprig had landed in Polly's bucket. His little sister responded by punching her brother in the butt. Sending him flying out of the bucket. She then dove back into her bucket of water.
Sprig landed on Anne's head, and the three of them smiled at one another. Then Sprig pointed at something. Kenji pulled out one of his Class Cards, and the friends rushed off into the unknown.
The scene changed to show Kenji, Anne, and Sprig hopping across multiple mushrooms that lit up when one of them landed on it.
Koware kake no sekai
Kuzure so o de memai
The next scene showed Anne, Sprig, and Kenji running for their lives from a giant chicken monster. Kenji summons a black steed from his Rider Card then gets the others on and gallops away faster from the giant poultry. The scene begins to break apart as red line spread across the screen.
The next scene showed Sprig, Anne, Kenji, Polly, and Hop Pop fishing together on a lily pad before it suddenly rose into the air. Underneath it was a giant fish that started swimming around as everyone started screaming. Kenji, however, started stabbing it with a black broadsword. The scene to break apart like the scene before.
Another scene showed Sprig in a temple looking at something before Kenji and Anne came rushing down the stairs beside him. Anne picked him up as they ran away from a giant boulder that came crashing into the temple. And just like the last two scenes, it begins to break apart in red lines.
Karappo na karada de
Ibtsuna shikai
The next scene showed a red, dark area. Anne and Kenji had their backs together, and both having looks of determination. Anne raised her card: Alter Ego, and Kenji raised his card: Saber as the cards begin to glow.
Still, in the same scene, the viewer is suddenly pulled back to reveal that they were surrounded by dozens of twisted frog/toad/newt-like creatures and a giant snake crawling up from behind them. Towering over them and hissing.
Zokkuri to myako o utsu inochi no sen
Naifu de nazotte nobashite shimaetara
ne dareka oshiete Tsuki ga mierunara
The amphibian-like abominations started attacking as Kenji now armed with Balmung/Gram and Anne now armed with the Absolute Sword – Endless Three-Stage rushed towards the viewer. Smashing, slicing, and killing any twisted being that came at them. Just as the viewer watched them go past the camera on both sides, the Giant Snake lunged at the fleeing kids. Its mouth opens as it comes towards the camera before the viewer is in the blackness of the snake's mouth, but it didn't last long as Kenji swung his sword and cuts down the snake with one strike.
Kesenai de
mada kesenai de
The scene changed again to a split screen with the left side show Anne's photo of herself, Kenji, Sasha, and Marcy together being held in a gloved hand and on the right is an older man in his fifties with a grin on his face. A flash of light showed the man's face more and the infamous Toad Tower in the background.
Kienaide mada Kienaide
The final scene of the intro showed Kenji standing in the middle of a road looking at the Class Cards he has. He looked to his left and saw Anne walking over to him with a smile. Then Sprig came over to his right and jumped on Kenji's shoulders while Fou jumps on his head with a content smile on his face. Hop Pop and Polly walked/hopped over and joined the trio. The screen begins to pan downwards as it shows reflections not of the group but of legendary heroes of Earth's history.
The intro ends with the title of the story.
FATE / CALAMITY
Book 1: Amphibia
Chapter 18: The Bizarre Bazaar of Fate
"It's him!"
"That guy?!"
"Yeah, I thought he was thrown in juvey?"
"Didn't he attack that owner of that new shoe brand?"
"I heard about that! It's awful what he did…"
"Kenny… It's probably best you don't hang out with us anymore…Ok?"
Those words rang throughout Kenji's head as he wandered through the streets of Los Angeles, a vacant look in his eyes.
When Kenji got out by the third month in prison, I was sure that he would work hard to get his life back on track. Whether it was possible or not was unknown. But things were never really the same. But now… Kenji was wondering if it had really been worth it for the past three years. What had trying to return to normality gotten him now? Loneliness and scorn from the community. All his 'friends' had turned their backs on him, and while it's true that his family is still believes in him, he still felt himself falling into a dark well of which there wasn't a bottom. His oldest, and honestly closest friend. She looked into his eyes, his own pleading, and she'd simply said to not come close to her, Anne, and Marcy. That he shouldn't hang out with them anymore… And then she'd left, not one more word spoken between them.
Kenji felt betrayed by her...
*RING* *RING*
Kenji stopped for a moment as he reached into his coat pocket and take out his phone. When he looked at who is calling him on Caller ID, his eyes slightly widen before they narrowed at the name that was showing.
'Sasha Waybright'
At first, he just wanted to just hang up and keep walking, but he had a suspicion that Sasha will keep calling him till he answers, so with a heavy sigh, he presses the Accept Call button and places it to his ear.
"Hello?" He said in an empty tone in his voice through the phone.
"Hey Kenny! How's it happening, bad boy?"
"…" Kenji didn't reply to this response as he was waiting for her to finish acting like that.
"Uh Kenny? Are you still there? Look, if you're in a bad place I can wait until-"
"What do you want, Sasha?" Kenji interrupted as Sasha let loose a breath of relief.
"PHEW! Ok I was worried there for a moment. Okay here's the deal." Sasha said as Kenji was silent as to let her say what she wanted to say. "Okay so here's the thing. Anne and I decided to ditch school for Anne's birthday during a frog dissection lesson to, going around town riding shopping carts, doing a little graffiti, and chilling in a cafe. Just as she is about to head home, I was able to convince Anne to go see Marcy, who had found a box designed with frogs in a thrift shop, you know as a joke present for Anne who hated frogs. So, I was wondering if you can join us, for old time sakes." Sasha said as Kenji begin to deeply think about this.
This was probably one of the main reasons why he was glad that he no longer hanged out with her because he saw her for who she really is. Sasha Waybright was always a fearmongering, persuasive, domineering, controlling, influential, charismatic, and manipulative girl who would do whatever she wanted to get what she desired. Even at the cost of those who call her a friend. Even him…
Well…No more. After today, he's going to settle this with Sasha Waybright, Marcy Wu, and Anne Boonchuy.
"Fine. I'll join you for today." Kenji said as he felt Sasha's joy from the other side.
"That's awesome! I will send you the address to the thrift shop and will meet you there. Ok?" Sasha said with pride as she thought she won the lottery.
Time to shatter that pride with a sledgehammer tied with explosives.
"Fine by me, because after today, I want nothing to do with you, Anne, or Marcy ever again." Kenji said in a tone of voice that left no room for discussion.
…
…
…
Silence. That was the only thing that the two callers were experiencing before one of them begun to speak up again.
"…W-What?" Sasha said in a voice that Kenji would never think he would hear from her: concern…for him. Well, it's too late for her and her friends. "Kenny. W-what are you talking about-."
"You know damn well what I'm talking about," Kenji said, cutting her off coldly. "Three years ago, you turned on me when I needed you most. Didn't even consider how it would affect me, didn't consider a damn thing about me. Not my reasons, or my thoughts. I'm only cooperating with you for today. Nothing more, and nothing less. After that we're done."
Kenji could feel Sasha visibly recoiled as she begins to speak up again. "Kenny, don't you think that's a bit out of line?"
"As out of line as you telling me not to hang out with you, Anne, and/or Marcy anymore?" Kenji shot back, a cold look on his face, and he felt her flinching again from the other side of the phone. "That's what I thought. I trusted you three to help me with what happened to me and, instead of being supportive, you turned your back on me at the most critical time of my life. And now after all this time, here you are, acting like I should be your friend again just because of your own miserable guilt."
"Kenny, that's now why at all!" Sasha tried to argue, but Kenji Richards wasn't having it.
Not. One. BIT!
"Don't try and lie to me," he hissed out. "You're trying to be all buddy-buddy with me because of what you did and how the others felt. Well tough shit for you, I'm not having it. After we get Anne's present and get her to birthday party, I hope I never have to see you again until the day I fucking die."
"But Ken-" Sasha tried to speak up, but Kenji had enough of this crap and decided to end the call here before he sees Sasha and her friends again.
"Sayonara, Sasha Waybright." Kenji said as he hung up his phone and began walking again. Kenji allowed a bitter chuckle to escape from his lips… As much as that felt good, He hadn't wanted to linger on what happened and yet here he was, lingering on it and letting it affect him.
Distracted as he was, Kenji practically ran into a small stand on the corner of the street.
"Ah, I'm so sorry!" He apologized, bowing in embarrassment and shame. He couldn't even walk down the street without causing people problems!
"Hohoho! It's quite alright young man!" The stall owner said, making Kenji pause and look up at the man.
He is an old man that had hair of fine white, slicked back, and a beard just as fine. He had no moustache, and the wrinkles on his skin were visible. But his eyes held a spark, a mischievous glint, as if he were a child that were about to pull an excellent prank. He dresses himself in a fancy black suit and had a walking cane near him, showing that he may have problems walking.
Kenji's eyes finally moved up to the name of the stand. 'The Stand of Heroes.' He couldn't help but sweat drop at the name. It sounded a bit cheesy, and farfetched.
"Ah, are you interested?" He said as he eyed Kenji. "Oh yes, you may be the most interesting one yet!"
"I'm sorry, what do you mean by that?" Kenji asked, a curious look on his face.
"Oh, do not worry!" He waved it off. Instead, he pulled out 14 cards from an oriental box on the stand and spread them across the table. "Have a look at these! Just one of these will be guaranteed to make a hero out of you! It comes with my personal guarantee, a young man before you did the same!"
Kenji blinked at how absurd that sounded. How could someone become a hero with just a card? Still… It wasn't as if he had anything else to do before he must deal with Sasha and her friends. So, he sighed and sat in a chair across from the man. "Hit me with it."
The man grinned, first gesturing to the leftmost card. It depicted a knight, holding a sword. "The first card, Saber, The Heroic Spirit of the Sword" he said. "A heroic wielder that carries a blade, who strives to protect the innocent and vanquish evil."
Kenji nodded as he stared at the card, finding a kinship with it. For that was exactly what he desired when he was a child. To be a hero. To vanquish the evils of the world, and to protect any innocents.
"The second card, Lancer, The Heroic Spirit of the Lance." he spoke as he gestured to the next card to the right. It depicted dressed in light armor, the lance in hand. "Agile, excellent at close combat, and are particularly skilled in hit-and-run tactics. Essentially hit once, retreat, and repeat."
Kenji stared at the card and nodded. He could understand it, at least. Not all fights were won with tanking blows, he'd seen that in fighting maches. Sometimes you had to play it smart. Get in a light hit and retreat, over time the enemy would fall.
"Archer, The Heroic Spirit of the Bow, the third card," the man spoke as it depicted a young woman, bow in hand, and a quiver resting on the back of her hip. "Warriors that excel in the use of projectile weaponry, not necessarily just bows. Can be highly effective as scouts. Most importantly, they are free spirited and often travel as they please."
Kenji's eyes glistened at that. Freedom. It was a beautiful thing, and something he could understand the want for. To not be bound by the shackles of others, to be the master of your future. To make your own choices. It was a beautiful thought.
"Number four, the Rider, The Heroic Spirit of the Mount" the man spoke as Kenji's gaze was drawn to it. It depicts a hooded armored man riding a chariot into battle. "Heroes most famous thanks to their mounts. Like a great general that commanded a battleship, or one who rode a horse into battle. The hero that will always rush into battle to fight for what they believe in."
Fighting for what they believed in… Kenji could relate to that. He believed that maybe he could make a difference. If he could save even one life, one person, then he could make a difference.
The old man directed Kenji's gaze to the next card over. It depicts a shirtless man wearing a skull mask and carrying two black knives. "Assassin, The Heroic Spirit of Assassination, the Fifth."
"Wait, Assassin?" Kenji asked, cutting the man off before he could continue. "I don't mean any disrespect, but how on Earth is an Assassin a hero?"
"Assassin's rule in the darker parts of the world," he told Kenji. "They do the dirtiest of work many heroes dislike: killing humans in cold blood. Some do it out of joy, some do it out of sadness… But many do it out of duty. For sometimes only the vilest of scum can fall to the hands of an assassin."
That made Kenji pause… And strangely, he could understand. Throughout history there was assassination and espionage galore. In one of the earliest wars, centuries ago, a tyrant that was hellbent on destroying everything died to an assassin. After his death, the Assassin willingly gave themselves up. They had lost their family to the Tyrant's cruel actions and sought to end him so that others would not need to suffer.
"I see…" And he truly, truly, did. He understood why Assassins would do what they'd do. Sometimes, Assassination was the only option left.
"The sixth card is Caster, The Heroic Spirit of Spells and Sorcery." The old mans voice tore Kenji's gaze one card over, to the card depicting a man in robes holding a staff. "One who focuses primarily on wielding powerful forces, the forces of magic. They create barriers, heal wounds, and bring ruin."
While Kenji wasn't a big advocate of bringing ruin, the healing and being a shield… Kenji was fascinated by that. But he could understand the need to bring ruin. There were times to heal, to protect… And there were times to fight.
"The seventh card." The old man said as Kenji's gaze was once again drawn away. One that depicted a human wearing some sort of beastlike mask, wielding a claymore in just one hand. "The Berserker, The Heroic Spirit of Rage. One who tried to find a path on any of the others but lost themselves to madness for one reason or another. Obsession, the loss of a loved one, betrayal…"
That struck a chord with Kenji. The Berserker was like him right now. He had been turned on, betrayed, by those he'd trusted. By those he had considered friends. And he could understand just why the Berserker would fall into misery, and rampage.
"I'm sorry…" He whispered in a genuine voice.
"Now then!" The old man said as he pushed the first seven cards to the side. "Those are the seven main classes. We now move onto the seven extra classes," he spread the other seven across the table, each of them having a different motif to the first seven.
"Number eight: Ruler, The Heroic Spirit of Arbitration." he said, gesturing to the card with a woman dressed in robes, holding a set of scales. "Rulers are protectors, those who uphold the rules and make sure there are no breaches. They are neutral in conflicts, taking no sides, only acting in the interest of those they serve, and assure the laws surrounding these powers are not breached. The criteria to be a Ruler, however, is very strict."
"Huh?" Kenji asked with a raised brow. "What kind of criteria is that?"
"A huge majority of those who fit into these classes all have a desire they want to fulfil, a wish they want to have fulfilled. To be a Ruler, you must lack that desire, that wish, to assure you remain impartial. Most often, those who become Rulers are Saints. Jeanne d'Arc or Saint Martha are good examples."
"I… see what you mean." Kenji said unsurely.
A wish to have fulfilled…? What would he wish for now? A chance to erase what him that night over a year ago… No. He won't let it get to him anymore. What happened, happened. He will no longer dwell on it. Even if was an unjust against him, He will no longer care for it or even regret it.
"Number nine: Avenger, The Heroic Spirit of Vengeance" The old man said as Kenji eyes drifted to the card, showing someone with long hair held in chains, eyes burning with hatred. "A being born from powerful resentment that does not fade even after death. Rather than revenge, the primary characteristic behind them is vengeance. Something I'm sure you're familiar with, young man."
Vengeance… The desire for revenge, to bring infliction of injury, harm, humiliation, or the like, on a person by another who has been harmed by that person, though a violent revenge. But have you the right to vengeance? …Yes, in some cases that where it's justified. Kenji always had this with him since he was placed in prison on false charges.
"Next, we have Moon Cancer!" The old man said as Kenji raised his eyebrow in confusion.
"… Say what you?" Kenji asked.
"Moon Cancer," he said with amusement, holding up the card with what looked like a girl in a uniform playing with… Was that a yoyo? "Originally one who was meant to be a Ruler but decided that was too mainstream and wanted something else. So, they created their own class to be in. Of course, one or two others managed to sneak their way into the class!"
"… You're kidding me, right?"
"Nope, completely serious."
"… What kind of game are you running here?"
"Trust me kid, it will make sense in time."
"… Fine. So, what's the next one?"
The old man smirked at Kenji, knowing he won that round, tapping another card. This one depicted the image of someone dressed in a jester outfit, a darkened version of them behind them and upside down. "Number eleven: Alter Ego, an existence taken out of or separated from a certain Spirit Origin and altered. They are a phenomenon where 'one persona of that Heroic Spirit gains independence as a separate entity'; essentially, they are personifications of the original being's emotions, wishes, or personality traits that have developed minds of their own. In other words: another self."
"… Huh?"
"Hm, it's hard to explain, you'll see in due time." The old man said with a smirk.
… Why did Kenji not like how he said that?"
"Number twelve: Foreigner, Visitor from the Empty Void." The old man said, gesturing to the next card. This card was very different to the rest depicting a cloaked figure with energy coming out of them. The lower half of their body didn't even look human, seeming to be more like extra-terrestrial.
"… So, what's the deal with this one?" Kenji asked the old man.
"It is a class for "beings who overturn the base laws of our world." They are said to be individuals who have "descended from superstition," those who have kept their "purity in the heart of madness" or who are "swallowed by madness but then turn around and consume the madness in turn.". Unlike the other classes, they are foreign beings from other worlds, typically bonding with Outer Gods. Though some have no connection to outer gods at all."
Kenji blinked. "… So, like… Cthulhu or something?"
"That is an excellent example," The old man beamed at Kenji. "Yes, Cthulhu is bonded to one who qualifies as a foreigner. Though they are dangerous, almost always residing as threats to humanity itself… However, that does not mean that they are bad. Sometimes, they are merely misunderstood."
Misunderstanding… the failure to understand correctly; mistake as to meaning or intent. That is something that Kenji was familiar with from that night before his arrest. That one event from misunderstanding is what got him thrown in prison.
"Number thirteen: Pretender, the one who wears a role." The old man said as he shows the next card, depicting a demon wearing a top hat and a suit. If you look closely, you could see angel like wings behind the demon. "They are those who have been given false representation, deceiving and misleading others to do great deeds. Not a fake or counterfeit, but someone who deceives even the soul until more power and greater achievements than the real thing remains."
"So, in other words, liars who only deceived other for their own gain." Kenji said his thought about Sasha surfacing as the old man nodded
"Perhaps but remember that Pretenders are those whose became heroes while feigning another identity. Disguised individuals, like the masked Zorro, do not qualify for the class, but rather those who acted while fulfilling the role of another. If "Person A" dies with unfulfilled ambitions and "Person B" acts in the role of "Person A" until the end without exposing themselves, "Person A" retains all their fame. "Person B," the interior of this false persona, is unable to occupy any other spot, so they are left as the only one able to fulfill the role of "Person A," the exterior of the false persona. In other words: They are playing a part to keep the legend of that hero alive." The old man said as Kenji began to nod at what he was saying.
Pretenders were like that of actors and an actor is a person who acts in stage plays, motion pictures, television broadcasts, etc. And through their act they are either remembered well for a very long time from the populous or scorned if they failed in their acting then shortly to be forgotten. So, the Pretenders must keep the act up to keep the people happy and the legend of the hero alive. Otherwise, the legend will fade into obscurity. Never to be heard from again.
"And finally: Shielder, The Servant of the Shield." The old man said as he pointed to the last card. It depicts a heavily armored knight carrying a huge shield, holding it up from incoming attack. "The Guardian of Defense and a one-of-a-kind warrior boasting near impregnable defense. To protect with or as if with a shield: provide with a protective cover or shelter. The one who will defend without fear of their own life ending." Kenji stared at the card and nodded. To be the Shielder is to be a defender, to make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm. Engaging in or be prepared to engage in battle to prevent a population or area from being captured or occupied by an enemy.
"I'm in a generous mood," Kenji's eyes snapped up. "So, you can take any of them you want! Just tell me which!"
Kenji looked over the cards one by one. He considered the pros, the cons, of each… And it wasn't long before Kenji had his answer. "All of them."
"Huh?"
"If it's not too much trouble… All of them," Kenji repeated. He'd brought his wallet, of course he had, and was willing to pay whatever he had to. He felt like these cards were special… He wanted to take them with him.
"Why though?" He asked Kenji, with a look of confusion on his face. "You believe this is a simple game, yes? You don't believe any of this is real. So why?"
"… Because I want to."
He stared at Kenji for a moment… And then laughed. "Hahaha! What a human response, but so wonderful! Because you want to! Very well, all fourteen are yours-!"
"No."
He stopped and looked at me with confusion. "No?"
"I said all of them," Kenji told him. "I mean ALL of them."
He stared at him… And then his eyes widened, gaze snapping to the box, before snapping back to Kenji. "You can't possibly mean…?"
"If I didn't, would we be having this conversation?"
He continued to stare at Kenji, as if he'd never seen him before… and then he laughed, but it wasn't the same as the times before. It was inherently different, sending chills down his spine, making him feel like he'd just agreed to something awful.
"All of them… All of them…!" Kenji was surprised by the giddy voice the man was making. "Yes… Yes, you are truly interesting!" He laughed aloud. He scooped up all the cards, placed them back into the box and handed it to Kenji.
"Yes, Kenji Richards, take the cards! Keep them very close to your person at all times! I promise they will be very useful to you in the future! Now hurry along, you don't want to miss what your friends are up to!"
Kenji's eyes widened as he checked his phone and got the address of the place he needed to go. "Oh crap, you're right!" He yelped, grabbing the box, and stuffing them in his backpack.
"Thank you for your help!" He said before he rushed off to get to this place that Sasha wanted to meet him with Anne and Marcy. It was only once he came close to the thrift shop and thought back to the man, a chill ran through his spine.
"I never told him my name…"
And that was the last thought he had before he met up with Sasha, Marcy, and… Anne.
"Well, that was a waste of time." Kenji groaned as Fou was sleeping on his lap; they were returning from the town archives. After it got fixed up, they were hoping to find whatever they could find any information on the music box. But no such luck, they return with not evening a single scrap of knowledge even remotely connected to the music box, or anything about travelling to another words. "This trip was total bust."
"Ugh," Sprig sighed, "you said it."
"Can't believe there was nothing in the archives about the music box." Anne looked down sadly as she held the box tightly. "Even though we have gotten something from the Plantar Family journal, It wasn't enough to tell us anything about world travel."
"I agree. You would think it would have given us a hint on how to make it work." Kenji said with a sigh.
"So, you really think this is your key to getting home?" Sprig asked.
"Well, it zapped us here, so, yeah. It's pretty much our only lead." Anne said as Kenji places a hand on her shoulder to comfort.
"We'll probably find something eventually, Anne. Be patient about it." Kenji said as he tried to cheer her up.
"Yeah! I'm sure Mama and Papa will find something out!" Jack said as Anne and Kenji smile at their daughters words.
"Fou!" The little creature said as Kenji pets his head, which Fou liked.
"Really looking forward to finding someone who can help me fix this thing." Anne said in a defeated tone, which caused Kenji to frown, but he understands that feeling all to well.
"Don't worry, kids We'll figure it out eventually." Hop Pop tried offering words of encouragement, as Bessie screeched, "Whoa!"
Bessie came to stop as a group of strange little critters they'd ever seen, following each other single file until to a tree. "Hey, get out the way, you... Whatever the heck you are."
"Man, these things are cute." Anne and Polly awed, as Kenji took out his phone and took a quick photo.
"Strange I don't know about this creature?" Jack said as she pulled out a book of 'Amphibia's Wildlife from Large to Small'.
Sprig got off Bessie and poked his head inside of the tree against the concern of the others and found this oriental egg. "Guys, look what I found. I think it's an entry ticket for the Bizarre Bazaar."
"The Bizarre what now? / Fou?" Anne, Kenji, Jack, and Fou asked in confusion as Sprig came up to them with the egg.
"The Bizarre Bazaar. I've never been, but I've heard stories. It's a mysterious night market that passes through once a year. Exotic foods, games, mysterious treasures."
"Really?" Anne asked.
"Exotic treasures?" Kenji rubbed his chin and smiled. "Like a magical music box? Sound like our best lead yet."
"Hold up!" Hop Pop stopped the wagon and put his foot down firmly. "From what I've heard that bazaar is full of greedy degenerates. Wave that thing around, and it'll get stolen for sure."
"You can't be serious, Hop Pop?!" Kenji argued back, "After all this we finally have the close thing to a lead single we'd got here!"
"No back talks. That place isn't for children. It the worst place filled with Amphibia most vile."
"HP. Listen." Anne said, "If we have any hope of going home, we have to investigate it, no matter how slim of a lead it is."
"I'm sorry Anne but my answer is still no."
"All right, fine." Anne said as she and Kenji sighed, causing Hop Pop to look at them pity, cause while this could be a lead for them to find out about the box, they couldn't risk it being discovered.
"Look tell you what, I'll reach out to some friends of mine to see if they know anything about your music chest," Hop Pop suggested before being quickly corrected by Anne and Kenji.
"Box."
"That to."
Just like that, Hop Pop slapped the reins forward and continued home, already fully aware that they were going to go anyway, and he had to admit that he was oddly curious to see how this year's Bizarre Bazaar will go.
"We're going to the Bizarre Bazaar tonight, aren't we?" Sprig whispered to Anne and Kenji.
"Obvi.../Yep…"
There it is.
Back at the house, once they were sure Hop Pop was 'asleep', Kenji, Anne, Jack, and Sprig collected their belonging and snuck out of the Plantar household. Unzipping her bag and placing the calamity box inside, Anne was going to find answer on the music box tonight, no matter what. Kenji made sure that Fou stayed home so that he could get taken by a stranger to be sold off.
"Bizarre Bazaar, here we come." Sprig said as they smiled.
"Okay, which way?" Anne asked.
"I don't know." Sprig replied. "I think the egg is supposed to show us." The young frog suggested as he pulled the egg out of his pocket, but he didn't have a good grip on it as it dropped and broke.
"Whoops."
"Dude!" Anne said as one of those little critters from early had popped out and started running off.
"After it!" Kenji said as he and the others started chasing after it. Said chased continued deep into the outer woods of Wartwood, almost losing it on several occasions,
"Kenji, your...something else," Sprig said, his voice quiet and exasperated, he was truly amazed by how quickly he could keep up with it. Unfortunately for them though, the purple creature had burrowed itself underground, now making it impossible to follow it,
"That was pointless, who is even expected to find the Bizarre Bazaar?" Kenji questioned rhetorically. Anne shared the same sentiment, frowning as she admitted defeat. That was until the mushrooms around them began the light up, forming a line into the somehow denser section of the woods, going after it they all grinned at once another as the entrance to the Bizarre Bazaar revealed itself. The children gasped as they saw what the Bizarre Bazaar looked like. It was like that of a medieval carnival, but with a lot of Amphibian cultures. Food stalls, merchants selling items ranging from weapons, to just creepy. The place was swarming will all sorts of rough and dangerous looking people. They were in aww of the new sights and sound to experience.
"Whoa." Anne said.
"Whoa. is intense." Sprig said.
"Looks like something some game or something." Jack said.
They ended up exploring for a bit, grabbing a bite to eat while they're at it. Jack was a kid in candy store, she was almost as bad as Sprig as the two wanted to explore everything, Jack wanted to try all the new foods and drawing everything she seen. She and Sprig tried their luck at a game skee ball, which in Amphibia was strange. The balls were mud. Sprig failed badly, Jack smiled and tried winning a beetle toy. The two went off to go on ride, when they return, they were covered with swag, and driving juice.
"I got you guys something to drink as well." Sprig smiled and gave it to Jack and Anne. The juice had spider eggs inside causing the two to scream. Sprig just shrugged and finished his.
While the others were looking around, Kenji decided to split from the group to see if anything stood out… When he unfortunately found himself walking into a stand.
"Ah, sorry-!" He began to say, before pausing… This felt quite familiar…
"Hohoho!" A voice that was all but ingrained into Kenji's memories sounded. The amphibian, who was an old red salamander wearing a fancy suit, was there, as if he'd been waiting. And by the mischievous glint in his eyes, he knew damn well that Kenji had been waiting. "A returning customer! How delightful! Please, sit, sit!" He gestured to the chair.
"…Old bastard…" Kenji growled under his breath, before he slowly slipped into the seat opposite. While this man taken on a different form, Kenji knows who this old guy is. "I have questions, old man. Questions I need you to answer."
"Oh? Are you dissatisfied with the product?" He asked, a sly grin on his face. "I suppose I have the Kaleidostick laying somewhere, but it will force you into a magical girl outfit…"
"No, no! God no!" Kenji waved his arms. Magical girl outfit!? He was getting more terrified of this old man the more he spoke with him. "No, I have more questions about you."
"Oh, you flirt!" The old man said with a false bashful expression. "But I'm afraid I don't swing that way, sonny-!"
"Stop fucking around, old man!" Kenji snapped as he stood up. "Who. Are. You?"
The old man pauses, before he grinned even wider. "Well why didn't you just ask in the first place? The name is Kischer Zelretch Schweinorg, Master of the Kaleidoscope, and the multiverse's greatest troll! And you, Kenji Richards, have become my newest form of entertainment!"
A shudder ran through Kenji's spine as the old man- Zelretch- said those words… Entertainment? Multiverse? Troll? What in the hell was he going on about!
"What are you…?" Kenji asked, unable to really finish that sentence as he stared at the man in shock. This… Was not how he'd foreseen this conversation going.
"Oh, we don't have enough time to go through just what I am, little hero," Zelretch chuckled. "Go on, ask the questions you really want answered!"
Kenji hesitated… Before he steeled his resolve, slowly sitting down as he stared into the man's crimson eyes. With a deep breath, he told the old man of his strange dreams with the memories involving them, the Heroic Spirit powers, and the Rouge Servants…
"… And that's about it." he finished. "So… What does it mean? You are the one who gave me the cards in the first place."
"Hmm…" Zelretch stroked his beard… Before he grinned. "No idea!"
Kenji was silent, before standing up again. "What the hell do you mean no idea!"
"It means I've never heard of something like this in all the parallel worlds I've visited!" Zelretch cackled out. "How exciting! How thrilling! I knew choosing you wouldn't be a mistake! But I'm afraid that's all I can answer for today, Kenji Richards."
"Hey, wait!" He demanded. "You didn't even give me an answer, just that you've never heard of something like that before! I have more questions! Like why the hell you gave me the cards, or where the hell you got them in the first-!"
Zelretch just shook his head. "No time for questions, boy! Since you told me something new, I'll give you a little hint to help you on your little quest to be a hero!" He grinned. "There's some fun happening where your friends are right now! If you don't hurry, you'll miss it!"
And just like that, before Kenji could even ask what that meant, the man was gone. There was no bright flash of light, no dramatic moment. The man was simply gone, and the stand too. It was like they never existed in the first place.
"Old bastard…" Kenji muttered. "But I have a name to put to two faces now. Zelretch… What did he mean by 'fun' where my friends are?" The young man said as he begins to make his way back to his friends, not knowing that a cloaked individual was watching him from afar.
"Hey Kenji, what did you find?" Anne asked sitting on a bench with Jack sitting on her lap as Kenji sat down next to her with a sigh.
"Found something, but it didn't have to do with the music box." Kenji said as he looked to the others. "What about you guys?"
"Well, I got this cool action figure of this legend The Wrecker. He was some champion and frog rebel hero, and this one is of her name is General Yunan, Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, and the youngest newt to ever achieve the rank of general in the great Newtopian Army!" Sprig said as he shows off his 'loot' that he got from the Bizarre Bazaar. Kenji only chuckled as the young man pats the young frog's head.
"Sprig, I know you want to show you awesome action figures," Kenji said with a small smile, "But we are here for something important remember?"
"Oh right!" Sprig said as he places his 'Loot' in his back as the group begins to look around again to see if anything stands out.
"Hey, look! Check it out." Anne pointed to a stall full of artifacts that had carvings a lot like the ones on the box. "Those look like the markings on the music box."
"Suspiciously so." Kenji replied as Jack nodded.
"Now where did I put my incense burner? Huh? Ah, welcome. Welcome to Valeriana's Antiques." The vendor said in a business-like voice. She is dark brown Newt with a yellow underbelly, and yellow spots along her tail. She has light-red eyes, with slit, dark shaded red pupils, and medium length, grayish-blonde hair. One of her eyes appears slightly out of shape and possibly damaged. Her tongue is a slightly light tone of teal, and her mouth is lined with short teeth. She's missing her right arm but uses her prehensile tail as a replacement. She wears a stitched black hood loose over her body, with beige armbands. She also has a hanging red and black pendant and gold rings on her neck.
"Guys," Sprig whispered to the group, "I think she's missing an arm."
"I heard that," She glared, Sprig tried looking away as she turned to Jack. The girl was looking at her with curiosity. "Is something wrong?" Jack was about to ask a certain question, but Kenji places a hand on to get her to stop from asking such a question.
"Oh Sorry!" Jack's laughs nervously, "Hey. What is this thing?" She pointed to golden plate with a Frog, Toad, Newt, and Salamander on it.
"Just one of my many treasures collected from my years of travel."
"Whoa!" They gasped.
"I've seen and heard it all."
"Bet you haven't seen anything like us," Anne said as she points to her and Kenji with a smile on her face.
"No, not exactly." Valeriana said as she got a unique magnifying glass and began to observe the two humans.
Both Anne and Kenji smiled and nod, this newt clearly had good eye for mystical type artifacts. "Uh, look Valeriana." Anne said as he places her backpack down to get the music box out, "there's something we'd like you to look at."
"Uh, Anne?" Sprig looked unsure about all of this as Anne was about to pull out the music box, but stops. "Are you sure about this? Maybe Hop Pop was right. I mean she just looks like some creepy witch."
"You heard her Sprig." Anne said, "She's seen it all. If anyone knows anything about the music box- My backpack! Where'd it go?"
Kenji looked around and immediately spotted a masked, hooded figure running off into the crowd, carrying Anne's backpack. "I found it and it's being stolen!"
"Hey! That's my backpack, you little creep. Get back here!" Anne shouted as they chased the little creep down to a stall, where this beady-eyed little frog was running some skeevy carnival game, where he had just stuck it on his prize wall.
"Greetings. Come to try your luck at my fun and exciting game?
"Absolutely not!" Kenji walked over the stall, and was about to pin him against the wall, just before he could grab him. Three large toads with swords and battle axes surrounded him and his friends. "What?!"
"Ah-ah-ah!" The creep smiled, "Once something is on the prize wall, the only way to get it back is to win it. Sorry, my boy, Bizarre Bazaar rules."
Kenji hissed through his teeth, he really wanted to kick this little creep's butt, but his bodyguards looked tough. Plus, Anne, Sprig and possibly Jack could get hurt.
"Kenji?" Anne called out, "The music box. We can't lose it."
Kenji tightly his fists, glaring with fury at the little frog as he pulls out a bag of coins, "All right, we'll play your game, you little sick fuck! So, what is it? Dunk tank? Whack-a-mole? Whack-a-tank-a-dunk-a-mole?"
The creep only chuckled as he takes the money "Oh, it's a little more involved than that. Behold!" the frog said as he opens the panel to reveal a very large racetrack that shows giant-colored roaches racing down the track as the crowd goes wild. "That's right, folks. Thrills! Chills! Spills! The best cockroach racing this bazaar has to offer!"
"Cockroach racing?" Anne sighed, "Why does everything in this place involve bugs"
"Don't worry guys. Thanks to Marcy and all the hours played Super Mario Kart and GTA V have prepared me for this." Kenji said as he cracks his knuckles.
"I don't know, Kenji." Anne said as she shakes her head, "If we lose, we'll lose the music box."
"We don't have any other choice Anne," Kenji said as gently touched her shoulder. "Hey. I got this trust me."
"Okay," Anne smiled, as Kenji smiled back.
"Now! Who wishes to challenge this strange looking biped!"
"I'll take this challenge." A rough voice spoke out as this huge toad wearing leather armor with a cloak over this attire, scars on his face, an eyepatch over his left eye and a giant sword on his back suddenly stood up in the audience. There were hushed whispers and everything, the other challenger immediately quit at the sight of him.
"The Wrecker!"
"He hasn't been seen in years."
"The Wrecker?"
"The legend says he'll wreck yourself if you don't check yourself."
"Oh, boy..." Kenji gulped, as he glared down coldly at him least it was just her versus him. Unbeaten champion? Kenji grinned well there was first time for everything. She had to win; it was her fault there even here. "All right. Let's do this. Do you mind if I do something quick?"
"I don't see why not!" The creep frog said as Kenji reaches into his pocket and pulls out his Rider Card as it begins to shine. While most didn't know what it was, Anne, Sprig, and Jack knew what was going to happen.
"Install: RIDER!" Kenji said as a bolt of lightning descended onto where Kenji was as the crowd had to cover their eyes from the flash. When the crowd begin to look again, they noticed that someone else took Kenji's place.
Standing before them is a gigantic man standing over two meters in height. He has large muscles that give the impression of being able to kill a bear with his bare hands. He has sternly chiseled features with eyes that give off a dazzling glow, able to overtake the souls of those who were there in an instant with their sharpness and burning red hair and beard. He wears bronze armor, with cuffs and greaves with white-furred fringes, that leaves his arms and thighs unprotected. He wears a thick red mantle with a fluffy white fur collar. It is luxuriously decorated and looks like a curtain wrapping the stage of a theater.
The man looked over the whole of the area where he stands as he spread his arms wide. Everyone tensed at the motion but paused when he spoke.
"All of you, be at ease! A King stands before you!" The man proclaimed with a proud grin. He took a brief glance around himself to ensure he had their full attention before continuing. "My name is Iskandar, King of Conquerors. I have been called as Rider for my Master: Kenji Richards for this challenge."
You could hear a pin drop in the minute that followed. Iskandar simply smiled as everyone was struggling to comprehend what had just happened, what he was just so brazenly announced.
The Wrecker raised an eyebrow at their enthusiasm. "You seem pretty sure of yourself, 'King of Conquerors'." he remarked, gaining the Rider's attention, "but are you positive you can keep up?"
The Rider-Class Servant grew still, gaze fixed on his opponent. "Oh? You wish for me to demonstrate my skill?"
"Unless you're all talk." The Wrecker said with a challenging grin.
"Is that right?" Iskandar asked with a challenging grin as well, grabbing hold of the spatha by his hip. "If you want me to prove my worth, it is only fair that I shall do so!" Fully drawn, the sword was revealed to have a fine double-edged blade, with an ornate lion decorating its hilt, but rather unimpressive compared to giant sword the Wrecker has in Anne, Jack, and Sprig's opinion.
The Wrecker thought so too. "Mine's bigger," he teased, hefting his own sword.
Iskandar laughed at the jest, a confident smile for all to see. "Perhaps, but this is not my Noble Phantasm. Behold." He faced away from them and raised his weapon high above his head. "I am Iskandar, King of Conquerors! With the swing of my sword, I claim my supremacy!" He slashed the sword downwards with all his might and a battle cry, cutting through the air.
Anne and Jack were the first to notice how the wind begins to pick up. Then came a crack of thunder, drawing Anne, Jack, Sprig, and the others to look upward; the clouds had begun to gather into a spiral, winds howling and arcs of lightning crackling around the seemingly calm center of the sky. Iskandar returned to his full height. Then a blue lightning bolt shot from the center to strike the ground in front of them, catapulting Anne, Jack, and Sprig backwards. Lying on the ground, Anne tried to peer through the smoke and curling static.
Their eyes widened as the object grew fully visible. It was a massive chariot of ancient times, comprised of finely carved wood and bronze. It had been built with two prows and was pulled by two bulls of size and might equal to that of the transport. Curved sickles lay over the wheels on either side, sharp enough to plow through an entire forest in one charge.
"Just as I once cut through the knot and acquired this gift King Gordius made to Zeus." Iskandar spoke with a curious mixture of calm and pride as the other gaped at the chariot of dreams. "Now it is likely the source behind my classification as Rider. The Gordius Wheel: "Wheel of Heaven's Authority"." His smile then turned cheeky as he glanced over to the Wrecker. "Well?"
The Wrecker stared at the Gordius Wheel for another few seconds, then a slow chuckle emerged from his shaking head. He finally looked back at his partner. "Touché," was all he said as he got on his own chariot being drawn by two giant cockroaches.
"The race is on!" The creepy frog said as the two racers approached the starting line.
"On your marks."
"Get set."
"Go!"
The two took off immediately and Iskandar was taking the lead ahead of the Wrecker. Being a Rider does have its benefits. The crowed was going wild as they started making bets for the two racers.
"I've got twenty on The Wrecker." One frog said as he raised a bag of coins.
"I've got twenty-five on the biped."
"I've got a rash." Wally said as the two betting frogs looked at him in confusion.
The Wrecker was using every trick in the book, evening getting physical as kept ramming into the chariot.
"Hey!" Anne yelled watching nearby, "That's cheating!"
"Everything goes at the Bizarre Bazaar." The crowed said as they held a sign to prove their point.
"Everything goes? Huh," Iskandar smiled, "Then how about this!?"
Iskandar shoved the Gordius Wheel into The Wrecker with as much intended force as possible, not directly spinning him out but being enough to distract him so he could get ahead.
"Impressive," The Rider-Class Servant commented lowly, impressed by the quick response of the Wreaker coming back on the track.
The Wrecker pulling a weirdly shaped bug from his pocket. Clicking the back of it, he sent it surging after the two of them, flashing a bright blue color. Anne knew all too well what it meant; she played enough games to recognize what the dreaded blue shell was.
It was too late to warn Iskandar however, it had already circled around them and proceeded to land a devasting blast right atop him as the Wreaker passed the smoke. However, not a moment too soon, Iskandar shot out of the smoke as he was gaining up towards the Wrecker.
"ULULULULULULUIIII!" Iskandar roared as he passed the surprised Wrecker to cross the finish line first. Everyone on the racetrack was surprised, but the creep shook his head to do the announcement.
"Winner, winner, cricket dinner! Our reigning champion: The Wrecker has been defeated! Hail to our new racing Champion: Iskandar!" The creep said as he handed not only the backpack but also a barrel of rare Fire-Ant Wine to Iskandar who raised his fists straight into the sky with a cry of victory. This caused everyone in the stands to go wild as the applauded for the King of Conquerors.
Anne, Sprig, and Jack cheered in victory as the approached Iskandar as he dismissed the Gordius Wheel then gave her the backpack. "Thank you so much, man. Now all we need to do is find Valeriana stand and-"
The sound of bell went off just as hourglass drained causing Anne and the others to look up in alarm as the notices the merchants began closing their shops and packing up, all heading off in difference directions.
"The bazaar's closing."
"Look. Pack it up."
The group were frozen in place watching as the once busy night market quickly disappear along with everyone else. Remaining was now just empty place in the middle of the forest.
"No... NO!" Anne said as slowly slides down on her knees, covering her face with her hands. "Our one chance to find out about the music box."
"Mama..." Jack said as she held Anne tightly, who returned the hug as well.
Sprig offered a kind smiled, as he sat down next to his best friend. Patting her back, hoping to give her comfort. "Hey, it's okay, Anne."
Anne turned her head, trying to smile. Gratefully for the small bit of comfort. "How?"
Sprig paused for a minute, trying to think of something that might be of help. "Uh, maybe, we can find someone, who knows that newt. Track her down, you know?"
Iskandar sighed, "I hate to say this but, did you hear what the frogs in there said. They come from all around Amphibia. No, she's long gone by now."
"Hey!" A voice called out nearly giving them a heart attack, as the Wrecker appeared, his large figure towering over the, surprising them.
"The Wrecker!"
Jack stood up, ready for a fight as she draws out her knife. "What? You want to fight!"
"Yeah!" Sprig added for support, although was a little intended by his large size. "Umm... not even if you say please."
Anne picked herself up, and looked with pleading eyes, "Look, I know that you're probably sore from losing, but there's something inside I really need. You can have the bag." She looked staring directory into his eyes with a fierce look in her eyes. "But I will not let you have what's inside it."
Iskandar just scratched his head as he turned to the Wrecker with a raised brow. "Hey old man. Do you think you should drop the act?" The King of Conquerors said as the kids got confused at what he said. Wordlessly, the Wrecker ripped off his cloak, revealing to be Hop Pop on stilts, who had a serious look on his face.
"Hop Pop!?" They yelled, baffled.
"Hop Pop, you're the Wrecker!" Sprig was shocked and smiled, "Oh my Frog! The Wrecker was legendary."
"Hold up! I got a better question!?" Anne holding her hand up, looking confused as heck. " What's with the costume?"
Hop Pop crossed his arms, looking annoyed. "I think It obvious. I knew you kids wouldn't stay away from the Bizarre Bazaar. So, I came in case you got yourselves in a pickle! Which you did. A big, fat pickle." The kids starred at their feet, "Hmm?"
"Are mad at us?" Jack questioned in a sad tone as Hop Pop sighed at this.
"Of course, I'm not. Disappointed yes. But I knew you wouldn't have gone here without a good reason."
Anne picked up her bag, "You're the best. Thanks for having my back... pack. You were right. I was too impatient for answers." Anne unzipped her bag and revealed the music box, she passed it to him "Here. Go through your trusted channels. I'm okay with waiting a little longer."
Hop Pop was shocked at this action he had a grim expression as he held the box, which didn't last long as he shook his head and gave her back the Calamity box, who had a confused look on her face. "Actually, I think it's best you hold on to that music box, Anne. I will try to get with my contacts first and see if they can come to farm to look at it will all of us are present. That way we can make sure the contact is legit and doesn't try take it."
Anne and the others were surprised at what the old frog said, but it did make sense to her as she smiled and nodded and place the box back into her backpack.
"Okay," Sprig leaped on to Hop Pop, smiling at his grandpa. "Back up. You're The Wrecker, Hop Pop? How many games have you beaten? Did it ever get dangerous, Hop Pop? Have you killed a man, Hop Pop?"
Jack as well got into face. "How long were the Wrecker? Did you make this? Is this the original Wrecker costume? Is there tragic origin story? Why do you stop?"
Hop Pop laughs, "Whatever happens in the Bizarre Bazaar stays in the Bizarre Bazaar." He just simply dodges the questions.
"Aw, man!" Sprig and Jack lowered their heads in disappointment.
Anne chuckles. "Just like Vegas."
Hop Pop seem confused and annoyed by her references, "Sure, Anne. Just like Vegas."
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
The whole group stopped as they heard that clapping as they saw a mysterious being cloaked in a large cloak as he was clapping towards the group. Iskandar was the only one in the group that has a serious look on his face.
""Ho, ho, ho. No need for hostilities just yet. I'm here to see how this place was and I got to say I'm impress from what I saw in that race. Oh, how rude of me, I didn't introduce myself." The mysterious person said in voice that sound like he lived through decades as he removes his cloak to reveal himself. The unknown person was an old man in his 50's with a long-white braided beard, wearing a yellow Chinese robe with oriental designs.
"Servant: Caster, Zhang Jue. The General of Heaven of the Yellow Turban Army. It's a pleasure to meet you, Iskandar, King of Conquerors."
While Hop Pop and Sprig had no idea who he is, Anne and Iskandar were surprised as they both knew who this guy is thanks to a novel called Romance of the Tree Kingdom.
In the novel, Zhang Jue is the founder of a religious organization named Way of the Great Peace, and the figure who led his followers into the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the ones who started the whole story. A long time ago, a xian gave him a scroll, The Essential Art of Great Peace, with which he learned many manners of sorcery, such as how to control the weather. After his studies, he went to save people using various tools, mainly fushui, and started going by the name of "Great Teacher". He saw an ever-increasing number of Way of Great Peace devotees, idolizing him and revering his teachings. They came to be called the Yellow Turban Army due to the yellow clothes they wore.
In 184, they finally launched an armed rebellion against the decadent Han Dynasty that was tormenting the common folk and leading society astray. Zhang Jue gave himself the title of General of Heaven, and to his younger brothers Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang, the titles of General of Earth and General of People respectively.
But amidst the battle, Zhang Jue died from an undisclosed illness. After Jue's loss, Bao and Liang were taken down by the enemies, and so the Yellow Turban Rebellion approached its end.
"So why are you here, Zhang Jue?" Iskandar said as the General of Heaven took a seat in front of him while he did the same. "Come to challenge me?"
"In a way, but I would rather have a chat first before we have our duel." Zhang Jue said with a smile on his face.
Iskandar smashed his casket open with his fist and plunged a wooden ladle into the red liquid within. An alcoholic fragrance wafted through the air. "Well at least we got this wine from that race." Swirling it about, he withdrew the ladle to pour its contents into one cup, then repeated the process with another. "It is said the Holy Grail belongs to the one who's worthy of it. However, since we have been called to this world without the aid of the Holy Grail, our calling here must be for a different reason." Once the cups were filled and each had claimed one, he took a big gulp from his before sighing pleased. "But if the decision is so simple, we don't have to resort to bloodshed."
"Careful now, some Servants enjoy bloodshed, Iskandar." Zhang Jue said to the Rider-Class Servant who only grinned.
"I know, Zhang Jue, and I'm not one to discourage a good battle," Iskandar laughed. "I'm only saying that if we Heroic Spirits can determine our strength to one another, we needn't worry about who gets the Grail if it exists in this world."
Zhang Jue eyed his cup before pointedly taking a long drink from it. He then held the empty utensil for more with a challenging expression. Iskandar lifted an eyebrow in amusement at the challenge.
While his cup was being refilled, Zhang Jue asked, "Then you also want to find out which of us Servants is the strongest, Iskandar? Even if the Holy Grail doesn't exist her in this world?"
"Correct." The King of Conquerors grinned. "We are all proud heroes, regardless of our origins. And most of all, we all have one wish that drives us towards victory over one another." He passed back his cup. "Consider this a sort of… 'Grail Dialogue'."
Zhang Jue took a sip from his wine and tilted his head in thought. "I can appreciate the idea of settling this War with peaceful talks, if such a feat were possible."
"So would I," Iskandar admitted, lowering his goblet. A couple of eyes narrowed at the noticeable decrease of wine inside it as he spoke. "But we wouldn't be here if we each had something important to fight for, my friend. And I doubt anything up to and including negotiating with the Grail itself will help grant all of our wishes."
"I do not dispute that." The wizard nodded in concession while pulling a pipe from his robes. He glanced about as he prepared. "Does anyone mind if I smoke while we speak?" All shook their heads in the negative, prompting him to put the pipe in his mouth and snap his fingers. A spark of fire danced on his fingertip before it was inserted into the hole.
"We all stand here for the sake of our beliefs and our hopes," he spoke while igniting his pipe. A pleasant-smelling smoke wafted through the air. "But we have all seen battle before, and I would tell you not to be too quick in casting aside peaceful moments. And at the very least, we can stand to hear of each other's motives." Waving away the flame on his finger, Zhang Jue took a few puffs before exhaling a cloud that flowed around him like a circling stream.
Showoff, the others thought in unison.
Then Iskandar leaned over with a curious gleam. "Say, elder one, could I try that as well? I'd heard of such a pleasure form from time to time in my travels, but I never had the opportunity to sample itself."
Zhang Jue weighed it with another puff before nodding. "Very well, but only a taste. My supply is not infinite." He rubbed off the tip on his sleeve before handing over the pipe.
The King of Conquerors looked over the slim rod, the round chamber with burning weed within, then placed the tip inside his mouth. He sucked in a deep breathe that made his cheeks puff up like brown balloons, his eyes glazing over and his mouth shifting into a pleased smile.
"And out." The pipe's owner advised him. Smoke erupted from the big man's nostrils. And his ears.
"That is Cannabis," Zhang Jue quickly plucked his pipe out of Iskandar's slack digits with a laugh, "the finest pipe tobacco in China. But as I said, I only have enough for myself."
Life flickered in Rider's eyes again, red stars burning in the night. He thumped a fist into a palm. "Then I shall have to face you for the right to that delicious- OW!" Anne and Jack didn't even acknowledge the stink-eye cast her way for chopping Iskandar's head. The Macedonian Servant sighed before conceding, "Or I could procure my own pipe and tobacco…"
"That is an option," Zhang Jue replied amused. "However, I suppose you would want to know what wish I want from the Holy Grail, correct?" Iskandar nodded as Zhang Jue took a drink from his wine before he gave his answer.
"I wanted to see the conclusion on the Yellow Turban Rebellion. One where my illness didn't claim me."
"Oh?" Iskandar said with a raised brow. "I would have thought you would change the conclusion of your rebellion."
"I'm not that foolish, King of Conquerors." The caster said as he takes a drink from his wine. "To change history is to erase what you've accomplished. I will not do that to the ones who followed mine and my brother's dream for China. It was their choice and I wish to keep it that way. All I want is to see the ending to it before my disease claimed my life. Perhaps extend it but never change the outcome of it."
"Hmm…" Iskander lightly shakes his cup to cause the wine to spin around inside. "At least that wish is not as damning as erasing your own accomplishments and forcing it onto another. I can't accept a wish like that."
"Indeed. However, a thought occurred to me. If you had obtained the Holy Grail, what wish does the King of Conquerors hold above all others?" Zhang Jue asked the Rider-Class Servant as Iskandar looked a little embarrassed for a moment before finishing his wine with slightly rosy cheeks.
"One for reincarnation."
You could've heard an ant sneeze in the resulting silence. Everyone stared in surprise at Iskandar because none of them had ever expected him to have a wish like that. "Wait, what?!" It succeeded in snapping Anne out of her shock, which lead her to ask him about his wish. "I thought your wish is going to be for conquering the world?!"
Iskandar only scoffed. "You don't actually believe I'd let a cup do the conquering for me, do you, Anne Boonchuy? World conquest is my dream, not my wish. The latter I must make upon the Holy Grail as a first step to achieving the former."
"You desire the Holy Grail, for such a wish?" Zhang Yue was intrigued at the very idea. "A small yet selfish wish, don't you think?"
"I never said I was a saint." Iskandar said as he continued with a more serious tone. "We Servants can only walk this world through the grace of mana. Can you say you are satisfied with this," Iskandar tapped his own arm, "facsimile of flesh and blood? Well, I am certainly not. I wish to truly live again, in a human body."
The Caster nodded to himself before he started speaking. "Doing so would render you mortal, King of Conquerors," he cautioned. "Are you certain you wish to take such a risk for your dream?"
"But of course, Zhang Jue, that is part of the challenge after all!" He shared a grin with the elder one. "The prospect of death makes the challenge even more enticing! I shall stand proudly as a human upon this world and with nothing more than my mortal might, I will throw down the gauntlet before heaven and earth and win!" He swept his cup into the casket, refilling it in one smooth motion, before hoisting it high. "This is the way of conquest!"
His sheer conviction rendered the whole group quiet again before Zhang Jue, the General of Heaven of the Yellow Turbans, burst out laughing.
"You've got one hell of a dream there." Zhang Jue said as he wiped the tears from his eyes and knocked his wine goblet against Iskandar's. "But hey, I'm hardly one to talk. To selfish wishes, may we all rot in hell!"
"And fight our way straight out of it!" Rider concurred with a proud laugh, the two toasting together before guzzling down their wine.
"My apologies. I know that we are having a great time, but I believe we should begin." The General of Heaven said as he stood up, a small tornado begins to build up around him.
"Very well…" The King of Conquerors had changed his tone, now. It was small enough that only those who survived countless perils could recognize the danger within. "Let us begin our battle…"
Violent winds erupted from him with that final word, roaring throughout the area. The Caster braced himself for an attack but recognized it as not an attack but something else. This gale felt hot and dry. Sharper eyes detected grains of sand flying amidst the currents. A smirk soon emerged from his face as he realizes what Iskandar was going to do.
Anne had stepped in front of everyone to shield them as best as her small body could from the storm. She lowered her hand from her eyes to see Rider standing with his back to her and the others. "Fellow companions…" Iskandar's voice boomed even over the loudest of the winds. "This is my question to you for the night…"
"Must a King, or any other leader, stand alone?"
"...Nope. No one, not even Kings or Leaders, should stand alone." Hop Pop agreed. Regardless of his circumstances, he'd learned the values of unity ever since that day that he and Sprig had their fight over who ran the farm.
Sprig hesitated briefly but gave his own. "I don't think so. It might be hard to lead, but not impossible when you have people that stand beside you."
"I wouldn't know. I never led anyone when I was alive." Jack said with a confused look on her face.
Anne felt a familiar pair of eyes on her as she turned to Iskandar before she gave her answer. "…Even though I never lead anyone myself, no king or any kind of leader should ever have to stand alone."
Rider crossed his arms with a bright grin. "I see that you are getting the lesson. But now I shall teach you all MY WAY of a true King!"
Two domes of lights arose from Iskandar and Zhang Jue, engulfing the Servants and their companions present. All except Iskandar and Zhang Jue covered their eyes from the blaze.
Sprig huddled beside Anne, hands over his head, eyes scrunched so shut nothing would've got past them. But he still felt the shifting of the world, the great power and now… sand? He slowly peeked one eye, then the next… and gaped in open shock.
As did many of the others.
"What the hell…" Anne breathed surprised, staring out into the vast desert before her. Stifling heat bore down on them with passing winds. The sky had turned from cloudy night to the bright blue of day. On the other said of them is jutting cliffs with Zhang Jue standing on top of the cliffs as HUNDREDS of Yellow Turban Army puppets were positioned near the base of said cliffs.
Aside from Rider, the others looked around in total awe of their surroundings, noting how they remained the same distance from each other as before… whatever had happened. "What's happened to us…? Is this an illusion?" Sprig asked in confusion.
"No…" Hop Pop eyed the area while moving protectively in front of his grandson. The sand scrunching beneath his feet, the wind against his face, the humidity; these details felt too real to be a trick. "Or if it is an illusion, it is one imposed upon reality itself."
Anne started the old frog's observation from where she was guarded by her friends. An illusion which affects reality… She had never witnessed something like this in this world or her own that held such power.
"A Reality Marble…" Zhang Jue said, drawing the others' attention as the General of Heaven continues his dialogue. "A Reality Marble is considered the ultimate pinnacle of Bounded Fields, of Magecraft itself." The General of Heaven eyes darted to the Heroic Spirit standing calmly before him and his Yellow Turban Army.
"Even as a Servant, you would have to be A lot of power of the highest level to achieve something like this."
Iskandar snorted as a smirk appeared on his face. "Oh, trust me. I could never have hoped to construct this on my own." His crimson cape fluttered royally in the wind. "My armies crossed through these lands long ago. None of the courageous heroes who stood with me in times of joy and sorrow could ever forget where we stand now."
Jack's ears then picked up something further away from them. A lot of somethings. She and the rest turned towards the horizon to see people striding out from a haze shimmering in the air like some gigantic mirage. But then they grew clearer. Soldiers marching in a steady rhythm.
"I can make this world reality again," Iskandar spread his arms wide in pride, "because it exists in all of our hearts!" The armored troops drew ever closer before the viewers.
"Behold, my peerless army!"
Individual faces could be made out now, different designs on armor and weaponry, but they all strode forward with unwavering surety. "Though their bodies have long since faded to ash, and their souls have become Heroic Spirits, they remain loyal to me, these heroes of legends!" The army stopped as one, and their King looked upon the world with the greatest excitement.
"They are all my most priceless treasure, my right to kingship! The greatest Noble Phantasm of Iskandar, IONIAN HETAIROI!"
A mighty cheer erupted from the masses to follow their King's cry. The sound swept over the other Servants and others, sending a chill that left them speechless, in awe and just the tiniest bit anxious. A massive black steed trotted to his side as Iskandar petted his nuzzle.
"It's been far too long, old friend," Iskandar said as his smile grew tender as Bucephalus snorted back. He then turned to the thousands of men awaiting his command. It was time to hammer the point home.
"The King lives to the fullest! He embodies the admiration of his people!"
The army chanted three times as one, hefting their weapons aloft.
Iskandar swung with one clean effort into Bucephalus' saddle before continuing. "The King collects the will of all heroes and leads them towards his dream." The mighty horse turned on the spot. Before the rest who bore witness to this awe-inspiring moment, the Heroic Spirit proudly declared, "Thus, the King never stands alone, for his will carries the collective will of all who would follow him to the ultimate glory that could exist!"
The army repeated their prior chant with even more fervor if that were possible. Anne stared out along the many, many warriors, seeing their absolute loyalty, their unyielding dedication to the King of Conquerors. This Noble Phantasm, Ionian Hetairoi… it wasn't merely a weapon. It was the greatest symbol of Iskandar's ideals and way of ruling. An entire world formed by the collective dreams of thousands united by their following one man.
An unbreakable bond. One that Anne could've never have thought to forged in all her life besides with her friends and loved ones.
"Now then…" Rider shifted his attention with rising malice back to his very nervous enemy, "let us proceed, Zhang Jue." Zhang Jue began to smirk from his challenge as stom clouds begins to build around the area. "As you can likely tell, we prefer wide plains to fight on. And we have the matter of numbers in our favor."
"Same could be said here, but let's see where this goes, King of Conquerors." The Caster-Class Servant said as Iskandar, King of Conquerors, grins a bloodthirsty grin as he drew his spatha with a sweeping move as Zhang Jue draws out sutras from his sleeves.
"CRUSH THEM ALL! / TO WAR, YELLOW TURBAN ARMY!"
Iskandar spurred his horse onward, and the army followed as Zhang Jue commanded his solders forward as the skies turned to a yellow hue with lighting booming from afar. All of Iskandar's followers charged past Anne and the others without a second glance; they were not the targets for this fight. Sprig watched them charge on in bewilderment before Hop Pop eased him to sit on the sand. Neither needed to do anything else.
Most of the Yellow Turban puppets tried to fight back, but it didn't matter. There wasn't much that their bodies can do towards REAL Heroic Spirits. Nowhere to hide as there wasn't anything to use for cover, too much sand to run which would cause their joints to lock up, too many to fight compared to the near thousands of soldiers. A few offered no resistance to the sword of the King of Conquerors as it severed their heads from their bodies. Some soldiers hurled spears which impaled most Yellow Turban puppets from afar. Others cut them off and cut them down with swords. One or two personally fell to Iskandar as he rode into the fray as he tried to reach Zhang Jue. One way or another, there will not be a single Yellow Turban puppet was left in the Reality Marble.
Iskandar rode his trusty steed to the top of the cliff thanks to some of the cliff jutting out as he made to the top of the cliffs as he charges towards Zhang Jue. The General of Heaven created two more Yellow Turban puppets to slow him down, but it didn't matter as Iskandar simply cut them down with ease. The King of Conquerors raised his sword as was about to cut down Zhang Jue, but the General of Heaven created a yellow barrier to block his attack. The sword was grinding to the barrier for a good few moments before the sword breaks down the barrier and the blade was positioned near the General of Heavens neck. The two Servants looked at each other in silence before Zhang Jue smiled as he raised his hands and said the two words to end the conflict here.
"I surrender."
Iskandar smirked as he surveyed the destruction he and his prized men had wrought within a few minutes and pointed his sword straight into the sky with a cry of victory. His army echoed the cheer across every corner they had rampaged, another conquest in the name of the King of Conquerors. And so, their King departed alongside his guests from the Reality Marble created by both Servants.
Back in the same area as before, Iskandar scooped some wine from the casket with a spare ladle and gave some to Zhang Jue, who was sitting across from him once again. "That was a bit of a letdown," he lamented with a drink. Anne, Jack, Sprig and Hop Pop blinked, eyes sweeping dazed around themselves. "But I suppose that's enough excitement for one night."
"Indeed, but look at it this way, it was an interesting night." Zhang Jue said as he rose to a standing position with one more smirk at the rest. "Perhaps one day we will meet again as allies rather than enemies." Golden dust shimmered around him as he said one more thing to the King of Conquerors.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you and your Master again, King of Conquerors." Then all that remained of him was a delightful cackle.
"Why do most Servants needs to make things so dramatic." Iskandar grumbled as he stood up.
Anne checked on Jack, Sprig, and Hop Pop before raising her voice towards the King of Conquerors. "Iskandar. Why did you-"
"Anne Boonchuy." Saying Anne's name stopped her in her tracks. "This was a dialogue, a battle between Heroic Spirits. He wanted to test my power and I obliged." He turned slightly to watch her out of the corner of his eye.
"Out of respect for my Master, I shall continue to recognize you as a worthy ally to him, myself and to the other Heroic Spirits that reside within him. However, I have learned from him much about you, and I must say this before I take my leave." As Iskandar's body begins to return to his host, his gaze grew a bit more tender as he spoke a few last words to the young woman.
"Your ideal of living the way you are, being lazy and selfish, even if not overtly, with little interest about what was going on around yourself and believing your problems were worse than others because they were yours… the way it is now, it will surlily bind and break you down. It is best that you grow from this mindset of yours of going with the flow and do it quickly. See the truth before what pride you have left as a human is crushed into nothing." Iskandar, the King of Conquerors said to Anne, who was shocked at what Iskandar said, as a sphere of light surrounded his whole body. When the sphere dissipates, Kenji returned to his normal self in a daze as he fell on his back. Anne, Jack, and the others rushed to his side to help him up.
"Hey guys. What did I miss?" Kenji asked in a tired tone.
"A lot. We'll fill you in on the way back home." Anne said as Kenji nodded with a tired smile.
"Thanks." Was all Kenji said as he and the others make their way out of the woods. Unknown to them, the tall newt lady, Valeriana, watched them leave, her tail resting on her chin in thought.
"Leander, I think we've not only found two of the new wielders of the powers of the Calamity, but also wielders of Heroic Spirits." She whispered, paying close attention to the group. "Now, only time will tell if they are truly worthy. We can't make the same mistake again…Leander?" Valeriana said as she looked around and saw Leander with his head in the barrel of Fire-Ant Wine. When Leander head popped out, it let out a few cackles as it fell on its back, causing Valeriana to sigh at what she just saw.
Sometimes she really hates that bird.