48- Gathering of the Spider Riders

Buguese was called into Mantid's chambers, and Beerain was there as well. He had a very good idea as to why he was summoned..

"Buguese," Mantid spoke. "You were the one who saved Aqune, were you not?" he asked.

The Big Four leader wasn't sure how to reply. There were probably consequences for his actions, he'd known that from the moment he acted. But he didn't think it was a good idea to lie now. Mantid tended to know more than he let on, anyway.

"I was," he said.

"I see," Mantid replied.

"But…" Buguese spoke. "I don't believe killing Aqune was really a proper reaction. Surely, there were other options."

"That may be so," replied Mantid. "But now, that is all irrelevant. I don't have a need for Aqune's power anymore. I will soon have the Oracle Keys, and I do have other ways to take their power. So it's fine that she's gone." He sounded quite confident when he said this.

'Gone?' Beerain wondered. It was clear to her that she missed something big.

Buguese left the room, and wandered to the balcony where he used to stand and watch Aqune. It was really just out of habit.

'What other ways did he mean?' he thought. But he knew there wasn't time to dwell on that now. 'I must act soon. I'm not sure how I can return the sun, without recapturing all the Oracle Keys myself. But I don't think I should give them to Mantid-sama once I have them.'

Beerain was watching him curiously from a distance, but decided not to say anything.

"Take this!" Hunter launched an attack at the barrier. But somehow, it was just dissolved on contact.

"Impossible!" he exclaimed.

"I know!" said Corona. "Maybe you couldn't get through on your own, Aqune, but what if we combine our handmaiden powers?"

"Good idea," Aqune replied. The two then concentrated their energy, and tried to push through the barrier, but were unfortunately deflected.

"Are you two alright?" asked Hunter.

"Yeah," they both replied, but disappointment showed in their voices.

"We need more power," said Magma. "I think we should all try to attack the barrier at once."

"It's worth a shot," Igneous replied.

Each of the Riders launched their attack in the direction of the barrier. But just like when Hunter attacked alone, the blasts were dissolved.

They all stared in shock. It was that powerful?

While this was happening, Brade was in Nuuma castle.

"It looks very bad down there." He had created an image of the battleground, using his magic staff. Queen Illuma was watching as well.

"Yes," she agreed. "I could feel it, even without seeing what was going on. I'm really worried for those children, especially Corona."

"Hmm…" said Brade, just staring at the image.

"Anyway, what are you still doing here?" Illuma asked.

"Maybe I came to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage," replied Brade.

"What?!" Illuma looked disturbed.

"I was joking," he said. Though, he did think Corona was very cute. "But, I've retired from battle. I thought I already told you. I have to leave this in their hands now."

"I can see how worried you are about them," replied Illuma. "You can't look away from that image. You should go to their aid. I don't think the heart of a warrior is something that goes away, even with old age."

"Oh?"

Brade was caught off guard by her words, but replied, "If only it were that simple. I may be a legendary hero, but even I can be afraid. I don't want another battle like the ones I've seen in my days. Almost everyone who fought alongside me died in battle."

"Those results are more likely to happen," said Illuma sternly, "If you don't help them. If all of the Spider Riders fight together, I feel like there's still hope for the Inner World to be saved. Hero Brade, they need you."

Brade laughed, somewhat ashamed of his actions. Illuma was very right. She was quite a fierce woman, he thought, and beautiful. It was no surprise where Corona inherited those traits.

Though nothing had worked, Hunter and Shadow were furiously attacking the barrier.

"I'll never give up!" yelled Hunter.

Watching him, though, Corona and the others were upset. He was only hurting himself.

"You look like you're in quite a pinch," came Brade's voice, who had transported himself to their location.

"Brade!" Hunter exclaimed.

"Hero Brade-sama!" Again, Magma started to cry in joy. "I knew you'd come to save us! You're my hero!"

"Mhm," Brade nodded. Though Magma was scary as ever, Brade was quite relieved that he didn't go up and nearly choke him to death this time around.

"Hero Brade," Aqune said. "We can't get past a barrier."

"We've tried everything," added Corona.

"I'm aware already," replied Brade. "But Corona-chan, there's one thing you haven't tried."

Brade fired a powerful spell at the barrier from his staff. But it was totally ineffective. Brade looked stunned.

"Brade's magic didn't work?!" Magma yelled. "That's impossible!"

"How troublesome," said Lumen.

"Still, we have to keep trying." Hunter dashed towards the barrier again.

"I'll try to support you," Brade said. "Maybe my powers alone can't do it, but surely, they would be effective combined with yours."

Still though, when the smoke cleared, the barrier stood.

"Is there no use?" said Igneous.

Hunter looked at him, angrily. "Don't give up!"

"But really…" Igneous replied. "What else is there to try?"

"Maybe, if we had all eight Spider Riders," Brade spoke.

"But Sparkle isn't here," Corona replied. "We left her behind at the castle."

"You should have bought her," said Ebony.

Everyone stepped back, confused. For Ebony never spoke.

"I would suggest that one of you go back to get her."

"Ebony," Lumen replied. "Well… I guess you're right. She really is a part of the team."

"I think Ebony only speaks when it's extremely important," Igneous said. "But this is certainly the first time I've witnessed it."

"Everyone!" Miraculously, they heard Sparkle's voice calling to them. She was together with Grasshop.

"What are you doing here?!" asked Lumen in shock. Though, he was actually really happy to see her. He did miss her.

"I had to come!" Sparkle shouted. "Please, forgive me, Brother."

"It's fine that she's here, because Sparkle is surprisingly strong," Grasshop stated. "This cute princess defeated Stags all on her own. Well… kind of."

"She did what?" Lumen asked. Then he ran to her. "Oh, wow! My little sister has come a long way!" He hugged Sparkle.

"Brother…" Sparkle said, a bit embarrassed by this. "Can you let go now?"

"Stags?" Hunter questioned. "You met him again?"

"Yes," said Grasshop. "But… he's dead now. Don't worry, Sparkle didn't kill him or anything."

"I see," Hunter replied, looking sad. But, he quickly replaced that expression with his usual determined face.

"Sparkle," said Brade. "It's a very good thing that you came here."

"Why is that?" Sparkle asked.

"Because finally, the eight Spider Riders are gathered," he replied. "We need your power to break through the barrier."

"Then we'll finally get to Mantid's fortress, and the last Oracle Key," Hunter added.

"Got it!" Sparkle said. Her face was lit up, truly happy that they needed her help.

"We'll all attack it at once!" Hunter declared. He knew, somehow, that this time they'd be able to get through.

Once Sparkle was transformed, each of the Spider Riders threw out their best attack. Also, Brade used his magic. A massive force of energy collided with the barrier. And it burst to pieces.

"We really did it!" Hunter exclaimed, smiling.

"Yeah!" Corona cheered. Everyone was rejoicing, seeing that they could now pass through with no problem.

"Oh, so they destroyed the barrier?" Mantid commented. "That was impressive, Spider Riders." He laughed to himself. "But you don't realize that much more awaits you before you can get to me. And by that time, I'll have all of the Keys."

AN: Good grief. After it took that much effort to break the barrier, Mantid has more planned? Look forward to more upcoming twists.