Rising of the Masters of the Universe
ESKK: Well, here we go a new chapter let's get started.
(Start Foreign Kingdom)
A group of maids were seen helping a woman with violet hair prepare for the day as she was dressed in clothing of a royal origin. As she was being dressed for the event to come, she seemed to be talking to someone as she held a striking resemblance to Malty. "Is that what the King has been up to" She asked as she looked to the window.
"He has apparently I'm sure princess Malty must have talked him into it." A masked woman said as gave her report.
"How is the Shield Hero holding up?" She asked showing a hint of concern for him.
"He procured a slave recently and has reunited with allies of his that also came from his world. Apparently, they were with him when he was summoned and were dragged along." The shadow reported and thus Mirellia felt terrible for this. She already had problems with the summoning which was forcibly dragging people from their lives to fight for them, but now it dragged random bystanders for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"That's good to hear. At least he isn't alone." The Queen said knowing that though particularly difficult, contacting the slave trader in Melromarc was well worth the effort, even if he presumably had his own agenda for agreeing to sell Shiro a slave. "However, news of Melromarc summoning of the Four Cardinal Heroes is making no small impact in our kingdom as well as others." The queen spoke as she knew why this was happening. "We must make sure we prevent our neighbors from meddling in our affairs no matter what it may take." she said knowing what could very well happen to Melromarc if they don't approach this was caution.
"Never fear milady we'll continue to keep a watchful eye on events in the capitol." The masked hooded woman said as she finished up her report.
"I'm counting on you." The Queen said dismissing her eyes and ears within her home country while looking out to the kingdom outside showing it was in the industrial age of sorts judging by the sound of gears and factories outside. As she looked, she soon saw a familiar eagle looking down upon her observing until it spread its mighty wings and flew off to parts unknown. "Keldor..." Mirellia said with a sad tone as she thought of that fateful day. She had once believed that her brother should have been the ruler. But after hearing what he had nearly done at Castle Greyskull all those years ago Mirellia knew that her mother made the correct choice on that day.
(Scene Break Melromarc Castle)
The Four Heroes were all seen standing before the King with most of their parties standing off to the side. "As the reward for his efforts during the wave and fulfilling my request Master Motoyasu will receive 4,000 silvers." The King said as a servant gave the sack of silver to Motoyasu. "And young masters Itsuki and Ren will receive 3,800 silvers." The King said Ren and Itsuki looked wavered as they took the coins. "Finally, I've set aside 1,000 Silvers for the Shield Hero and the new Vassal Staff Heroin." Aultcray said as the sack was presented for Naofumi. "However, since it's been offset by the expenses of freeing his slave from her curse, he will not receive any funds at this time." The King said but before he could continue Itsuki spoke up.
"Wait a second that's not gonna fly." Itsuki said as he looked to the King. "If Naofumi did not surrender when he did then he and Hajime would have won the fight fair and square." Itsuki argued just before Ren spoke up.
"Right," Ren said as Motoyasu was speechless to this as he didn't want to give Naofumi the money he clearly earned. In fact, Motouyasu was about to say something, but Ren cut him off saying, "And If you'd followed the rules, Hajime and Naofumi clearly would have won the duel." Ren said but Motoyasu had an argument there.
"Are you crazy I didn't lose the duel!" Motoyasu said but Itsuki had a counter.
"Technically your right but if the duel had gone on, you would have lost." Itsuki said making it clear that Naofumi had basically let Motoyasu win. "The fact Malty interfered when she did should have made the duel invalidated from the moment it happened." Itsuki said as it was clear he saw everything that went down as did Ren.
"I'm afraid your both mistake, Sir Itsuki Sir Ren I had done no such thing." Malty said as she got everyone's attention on her.
"Even if you didn't cheat another point was that when the wave hit, it was Naofumi and his party who defended that village in the knights' stead when those other Adventurers showed up," Ren said as he bring up a good point as what deeds like that go unpaid as Ren went on saying, "I believe he must be compensated in some way."
Malty grit her head at this as she could not believe the other heroes were going against them, with the king playing it cool as he said, "Very well. I shall afford him the minimum agreed amount with 1,000 silvers."
The bag of money was handed to Naofumi in which he then snatched it out of the offered hand. "You have it, so be gone already!" The King snapped and thus they were given permission to leave.
But just as Naofumi was about to snap again Akane stepped up with Raphtalia. "Naofumi stop remember what happened the last time you opened your mouth in a fit of rage." Akane said and thus listening to his cousin/psychologist Naofumi took a deep breath and let it be... for now.
(Scene Break Beloukas Slave Tent)
The group was back at the tent as Catra was next to Akane who leaned against a cage. All the while Catra growled at Beloukas just daring him to do something to her. Beloukas meanwhile was reapplying the slave crest onto Raphtalia which of course annoyed Catra at the moment.
"Ok someone mind explaining to me why we're doing this again?" Daito asked as he raised his hand.
"Apparently our Racoon here wanted it." Yumi said as she did not get why anyone would willingly want to be a slave. "Don't know why and honestly I think she has a crush on Naofumi or something." Yumi said as she leaned back on her spot which was sitting cross legged atop a box.
"It's her choice of what she wanted to do and this was it, all we can do is respect it," Hajime said as she can tell Raphtalia had a thing for Naofumi which is kind of sweet to her to see, as far she can tell the crest is just a sign of her bond with Naofumi beside being a bound slave to him, as she take it.
Soon enough Beloukas finish up the crest on Raphtalia's chest as he said, "There you go, she has one brand new slave crest."
"There was no need to get another one you know," Naofumi said to her as Raphtalia look to him and said, "But I wanted it, I think of it as a symbol of your faith in me master Naofumi."
"Alright suit yourself," Naofumi said as he looks over at Beloukas walk over to his worktable as he set his crest brush down at next to the ink that was used for making crest as Naofumi picks it up and had a thought with Raphtalia soon ask, "Anyways ah, so how do you think it looks?"
Naofumi wasn't paying attention as he poured the ink into his shield as it absorbed it with ease and got a new ability from it as he said, "Slave user shield hu?"
"Hey!" Akane said as she nudged Naofumi a bit as he looks at her and said, "What?"
"She asked you how it looks," Akane said as she gestured to Raphtalia as Naofumi's eyes widen a bit as he looked on over to her. Currently, the top of her breasts, were exposed showing the slave crest there, with Raphtalia looking at him waiting for an answer as he said, "Ah... it looks nice?"
"Well, the slaver guy did do a decent job for it at least," Ayato said as all the girls looks at him, getting the feeling of all the girls glaring at him as he said, "What?"
"Oh, my poor brother cannot even tell what a girl is feeling right now," Akane said as Ayato glare at her and said, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I am amazed," Beloukas said cutting the argument of the sibling short as he was looking over Raphtalia as if he can read her states he said, "You help this scrawny bag of bones grow so much in a short span of time."
Even looking at Catra for a bit as he can tell she gotten stronger as well as he said, "And her growth is coming along quite well too."
"Want to see how much?" Catra said as she flashed her claws a bit showing she would scratch his face up if he gets any closer as he stepped back and said, "Same as always, can't risk my health for that, but for your slave Shield hero, you could get 20 gold for her if she a virgin."
"But I am a virgin," Raphtalia suddenly said as almost everyone face palm themselves to this as they could not believe Raphtalia would announce something like that as Beloukas then said, "35 gold pieces!"
"Wow 35 pieces," Naofumi said and almost sounded like he was interested in that with the twins can tell he was playing around with Raphtalia took it seriously as she suddenly got up from her seat and said, "Master Naofumi!"
"Chill Raphtalia, he's just joking, no need to get upset," Hajime said as she didn't want anything to escalate into anything, as Naofumi look over and notice something in on the table as he saw a case with weird looking eggs in it as he soon ask, "What's that?"
"This is a monster egg lottery, for 100 silver you are guaranteed a Filolial, you'll win a monster double in value if you take care of it properly," Beloukas said as Naofumi with a few of the other's question, "A Filolial?"
"Certainly, you and the others must have seen them around," Raphtalia said as Akane said "Those are the large bird that pull carriages and carts around, right?"
"That right," Raphtalia said while giving a nod to her while Ayato soon thought back to those creatures as he said suddenly, "Oh those Choccobo like creatures, I remember seeing those around."
"Ah, Choccobos, I wanted one myself in real life, but they didn't exist back in our world," Hajime said as she remember all the time, she play final fantasy and rode around on the Choccobos in game a lot and how cute they are when they were just babies as almost everyone acted weirdly remembering Yumi said, "I don't get you guys."
"Didn't you play final fantasy as well?" Akane asked her as suddenly Ayato suddenly started to hums the Choccobo song with Daito, and Hajime join along humming with only Naofumi Akane would know with Catra, Raphtalia and Beloukas didn't understand what they meant, but they think the song is somewhat catchy, with Akane soon smack her brother upside the head as he suddenly stop humming with everyone did too while he said, "Ow, what was that for?"
"Your embarrassing," Akane said as she had enough of that song back in their old world as it was as Beloukas soon went on saying, "Anyways, if you hit jackpot, you win a dragon, which may I remind you that beast is worth twenty gold pieces."
"Is that a gatcha game?" Naofumi said as Raphtalia suddenly ask, "What's a gatcha game?"
"It's Nothing Raphtalia, just something back in our world, but by the sound of these monster lottery eggs sound very interesting," Akane said as Hajime suddenly said, "Sound like fun to try of getting a few Filolial for ourselves, and if we hatch a dragon by chance, we can sell it and earn a lot of money that way."
"It certainly is my dear as dragon mounts are very rare to have, which I am also surprised about your friend here having a beast that partly dragon himself," Beloukas said as he suddenly pointed out to Ayato and Cringer as they both look over to the guy as Ayato said, "Wait, what?"
"Cringer is part dragon?" Akane suddenly asked as Daito ask the guy, "How can you tell the tiger is part dragon?"
"My glasses are specially enchanted, I can see the states of everyone I see and all the creatures I hold, I can even tell what race they are as well, and they are telling me that your friend's tiger as you call it is part dragon," Beloukas said as he pointed out to cringer as Hajime soon ask, "You got a spare pair around or something?"
"Not really a spare, but I have this that you can borrow," The guy said as he held out a monocle as Hajime took it and used it to see Cringer stats and just like the guy said, according to Cringer stats he was part dragon as she said, "Wow he's right."
"How is that even possible?" Ayato said as he just remembered Cringer was just his pet cat back home that somehow turn into a giant tiger he can ride on now as Beloukas soon said as offer to buy the tiger, "Sense he seemed to be a rare breed of beast I offer you 25 gold pieces for him."
"What- No! I'm not going to sell Cringer to you! He's mine!" Ayato said as he held Cringer close as the tiger rub his head against his owner as Beloukas saw how close Ayato was to his tiger as he said, "Well I tried, but anyways are any of you interested in buy one?"
"I mean we can't just rely on Cringer and Swift Wing to carry us everywhere." Hajime said as she looked to the others.
"Says you, you can fly in your Master form." Daito said as he was considering it.
"A few more mounts would be beneficial for us." Akane said as she could not help but agree with the logic.
"I mean we can just buy the one and we can all share the three." Ayato said as he rather that they not buy any at all.
"What about when in battle or if we need to go speeding off somewhere?" Yumi asked as it was clear that they were about ready to debate about it.
'Ok Hajime can fly, Ayato and Akane have their mounts and there is a total of 7 of us.' Naofumi listed off as he thought about it. 'We need to keep the master's and my party as two separate groups of people so if we go with three mounts and have to share that might defeat the purpose.' Naofumi thought and thus made his decision on this. "Four Please." Naofumi said handing Beloukas 400 Silver Pieces for the Eggs.
"WHAT?!" Everyone cried out when Naofumi made the choice instead.
(Later in Town)
"If you ask me, you shouldn't waste money like that, Master Naofumi." Raphtalia said as the party of the Shield Hero walked through town.
"Yeah, but after thinking about it having more monsters to fight for us helps build alibis and also, we won't have to keep running around to keep up with Cringer and Swifty." Naofumi said as Akane held Swiftwings Reigns while leading her through town.
"Yeah, plus he passed it around to all of us." Daito said as he, Yumi, and Hajime all held monster eggs much like how Naofumi did.
"Just seems like more mouths to feed if you ask me." Akane said as she led Swiftwing about.
"Well either way you better stop loosening your purse strings so much." Raphtalia said as they soon arrived at the drug store.
"Well in that case maybe we should turn around and take that slaver up on his earlier offer for you." Yumi joked causing Raphtalia to glare at the tomboy.
"Hey!" Raphtalia cried out as they began to enter the store in question.
(In the Drug store)
"Some relatives of mine in lute village asked me to help you guys out," The old man behind the counter place a book before Naofumi, Akane, and Raphtalia as they were the one up front from the party.
"Was it someone we saved from the village?" Raphtalia asked in a whisper while looking to Naofumi.
"You got me." Naofumi said showing he did not know who it was.
"This Grimoire has recipes for finer medicines than the ones you bring to me. Use it, it's yours," the man said as Naofumi took the book and began to read or at least he tried to.
"Thanks, but I can't read this worlds language." Naofumi confessed as he looked to the old man. Hajime looked to the book as well and found she could not do it either... but she did know someone who could, but she was back at Grayskull.
"Oh, by the way the old woman at the magic shop wants to see you as well. It's for a similar reason" the man said with the duo were surprise by this and wonder how many people they saved that are relatives to shops owners, as the man behind the counter said, "She said you helped save her grandkids and gotten them out to safety."
(Later the Magic shop)
"You have a rare affinity for healing and support magic Shield Hero." The old woman said as she looked through her crystal ball. "And the young lady has an affinity for light and dark magic. She's half Raccoon after all make sure she learns illusion magic." The old woman said as she continued to figure out what affinity the group has. "Your young feline friend also has an affinity for dark magic so you might want to share this illusion magic lessons." The old lady said as the group saw she was sweet... while Daito was eating some cookies she had baked.
"But your lady friends here on the other hand." She went on directing to Yumi, Akane, and Hajime. "While the one with the helmet seems to have an affinity for Earth the other two have... every elemental affinity at their disposal truly a rarity in our world." The old lady said as Hajime and Akane had an idea as to why.
'Probably due to Greyskull juice.' Akane thought to herself when the old lady revealed this.
"Now that being the case." The old woman said as she reached under her desk and took out a magic Grimoire and presented it to the group.
"A Magic grimoire isn't that sort of expensive?" Ayato asked as he saw the Grimoire.
"I don't think I can even afford it at this time." Naofumi added as he was in agreement with Ayato. realizing that was way out of his budget range.
"It's a gift as thanks for helping my grandchild." The old woman began before looking to the side. "I would have preferred to have given you a crystal ball instead of it." She added as the duo looked to the Crystal ball in question.
"Huh?" Naofumi asked clearly unaware of this crystal ball.
"Oh, you mean you didn't know. If you use a Crystal Ball, you can learn one of the magic sealed within it." The woman said as the Shield Party was shocked to learn this.
"First time I've ever heard of that." Naofumi said and in turn he knew the King was no doubt responsible for this.
"But I heard the royal court ordered a bunch of them to give to all the heroes." The old woman said as she looked to the Shield Hero and his party.
"Yeah, they probably did to very hero but me that is." Naofumi said with a stern tone showing he was quite annoyed with this.
"Learning magic from a Grimoire is certainly hard but if you keep at it and do the work you can learn as many spells as you want. You can do it." She said showing she had her upmost faith in Naofumi and his party.
"Thank you so much." Naofumi thanked and in turn stopped as he went wide eyed much to everyone's concern. But then a relieved smile formed on Naofumi's face showing that he needed to get used to being thanked and giving thanks again.
(Scene Break Lute Village)
The party was trying to go through the book as Ayato gave up after the first page while Akane was seemingly reading it cover to cover. Ayato gave her a suspicious look and had a stick ready just in case his sister got replaced by some strange shape shifting monster when no one was looking. Why the stick well if he used the sword, he risks hurting her if he uses the stick, he ends up hurting her still, but she gets a chance to retaliate with it... don't ask. Yumi meanwhile was snoozing away after tossing the book while Catra was chasing a red dot Daito had made for her.
"Jeez I really can't read this." Naofumi sighed as he tried to read the book.
"Huh that's too bad." Akane said as she then snapped her book shut. "I'm done reading mine." Akane said and it turn they were all wide eyed at her.
"Wait what?" Ayato asked with the stick ready while Yumi sat up while Daito and Catra looked to her in shock.
"Yeah, I found this out a little bit after we met Catra, apparently I got translation powers." Akane said leaving Ayato in shock as with the others.
"Ok why didn't you mention this sooner?!" Ayato asked as he looked to his sister in shock.
"It never came up." Akane shrugged as she sat there with the book. "Pass." Akane called and in turn the magic book was given to her by a very surprised Naofumi.
Naofumi then sighed as he almost forgot how Akane tended to act. "Some things never change." Akane said as she saw that Akane was still the same girl who can surprise people with what she does.
"It takes a bit of getting used to, but I could teach you guys how to read the text and language," Akane offered as suddenly Rahptalia said, "And that means all of us can learn together as well."
"Wait the magic or the language?" Ayato said as Rahptalia said, "Somewhat of both, I know how to read myself, but I do want to learn magic as well, and with the key words being "All of us" okay?"
Ayato and Naofumi looked at her for a moment as Catra suddenly spoken up saying, "Hey the next wave won't be until another month or so right, so let get it done and learn a trick or two."
"That's the spirit Catra, if we all work together, we can do it," Akane said as the boy's smile to this and nodded as they would have their work cut out but at least they would have friends to help them out.
"Well, that's the plan then." Naofumi said as he stood up ready to go. "Let's spend the night at Lute Village then after breakfast we can go out and grind some levels." Naofumi said and in turn they were all in agreement.
(Scene break the next day)
After some major language learning and magic studying for the past few days, they had come a long way from what they knew from before and discover a few things about themselves.
Daito couldn't use any normal form of magic such as spell casting and stuff it seem but he was able to learn to use magic in a different way in the form of alchemy like from the anime, similar to his speed build power, he can create any object he could think but must obey the laws of Alchemy like cannot create something from nothing, turning lead into gold, and lastly everyone would know of is "Playing God" which Daito absolutely promise not to go into that forbidden stuff and just stick with what he knew as it seem Alchemy was best suited for him being the science geek/builder kind of guy.
Ayato was getting down some of his magic well thanks to Hajime's help he learned not only he had powerful lightning affinity, but physical enhancements-based magic as well, knowing Ayato didn't always have to become He-man to do heavy lifting at least, heck he also figure he can increase his strength as he-man 10 fold if needed really becoming the strongest man in the universe.
Yumi gotten her earth magic down fast almost being an earth bending to say at least, even going as far as giving herself a rock armor form to charge with that really put the hurt on anyone that messes with her.
Hajime and Akane were pretty much on the same level of learning magic as they learn a bunch at once. But Hajime was more or least a step further from her being a magic enthusiast person than anyone. If there were anyone the group can compare her from a show was Kakashi from Naruto. Mainly it was due to the copycat's learning a thousand jutsu or at least that what characters in the show claims.
Catra and Raphtalia learn some of the same stuff other than light magic, as she the cat girl focus on dark magic spell for stealth and stuff no doubt to take people by surprise if needed.
After that, the group decided to take a break and stay at Lute village for the time being, as the groups were in their own room sleeping in their own beds. Of course, some of them had to share but that was less of a surprise then the fact Cringer was sleeping on Ayato's bed. Of course, due to their combined income and the money Catra had swiped earlier they were able to afford two rooms one for the guys to share and one for the girls to share.
As everyone was sleeping pretty soundly, sudden there was a knock at the door of the girl's room as Naofumi voice called out saying, "Hey you guys, open up!"
"Hu?" Akane said as Naofumi knock on the door again with Akane started to get up and walk over to the door and open it as she said, "What is it?"
"The eggs started to hatch," Naofumi said as Akane suddenly had a wakeup call as the tiredness escape her eyes to this sudden news as she said, "Really? That's great! We'll be right there!"
Soon enough she closed the door as she went over to Catra and shake her awake as she said, "Catra wake up the egg is about to hatch."
"Really?" Catra said as she started to wake up and stretch out like a cat would as she said, "I hope it's a dragon for this to be worth it."
"Dragon or Filolial, we're witnessing new life being born so hurry up and get ready," Akane said as she then went over to Yumi and Hajime's bed as she shakes them to wake them up as she said, "Wake up you two, the eggs are about to hatch. Wake up!"
"Ahhhh!" Yumi groaned as she didn't want to wake up this early with Hajime gotten up pretty easily as Hajime said, "We'll be there soon."
"Good, I'll go get the boys then," Akane said as she rushes over to their room, opening up without knocking as she rush over to Daito and said while shaking him, "Hey Wake up the eggs are hatching!"
"Oh really?" Daito said sound tired as he gotten up and stood up from his bed sitting on the side now. This gave Akane an unobstructed view to see Daito was lacking his pants as she looked away and said, "Yeah, now get up and… put some pants on."
Daito take notice of what she said and look down before using the pillow to cover himself as he gave a laugh and said, "sorry."
Akane didn't say anything as she turn towards her brother's bed down and said "Wake up Ayato, the eggs are about to hatch. Wake up!"
Ayato groin as he said, "I'm awake, I'm awake. Stop shaking me and get off of me, your heavy enough as is."
"I'm… not on you, Cringer is," Akane said as she sounded confuses as Cringer always sleep on Ayato's bed, but now that she noticed, Cringer seem to be bigger than normal, with Ayato open his eyes and look to see it was cringer as he suddenly said, "Cringer, is he getting bigger?"
"Either he hit a growth spurt, or maybe he's eating too much," Akane said as then she turned to her brother and said, "But any ways hurry up and get up, the eggs are hatching, and I don't want to miss it!"
(Little later)
Everyone had gathered as everyone had decided to keep all the eggs together and as it happen. The eggs were all suddenly hatching at the same time as each person held their own egg while this was happening to see what they would get.
With a bit of eggshells falling off to see something pink, yellow, white, and blue inside each egg, as the group watch and waited in desperately to see what hatches, as suddenly all 4 eggs exploded and all of them came a Filolial as they cry out, while surprising everyone else.
One in Naofumi's hand suddenly flap their wings and flew on top of Naofumi's head as that made Akane and Rahptalia went 'Awe' to the cuteness of how it look while on the shield hero's head as, same thing for the others as Hajime's flew onto her shoulder and rubbing his head against her, Yumi's flew up onto her head as well as it chirp loudly, and Daito's flew into his face as he fell backwards with everyone laughing at that while Rahptalia gotten her under control and said, "They are so cute, Master Naofumi!"
"I think your bird must think your its mother," Akane said looking at Naofumi with that as Ayato laugh at that thought as he said, "Mama Naofumi, has a nice ring to it."
Everyone was laughing at that joke with Ayato laughing too as well, Naofumi didn't seem to mind this with the Filolial being on its head as he said, "Imprinting, huh?"
"We should think of a good name for them," Rahptalia said with Naofumi said to that, "Yeah."
"Hey(snort) I think I have a good name for one of them," Ayato said as Akane suddenly pull on his ear curtesy of his sister. This caused Ayato to cry out in pain to this as Akane said, "If you say Choco, I will take your sword and bash you over the head with it."
"Okay, okay! I get it! Stop pulling my ear!" Ayato said while crying out in pain, but as of right now things were about to get busy.
(Montage time skip)
The group was feeding the Filolials as it happily ate, with Cringer sharing some of his food with them as they seem to love Cringer for that, with all the people at the inn watch this, smiling to the scene.
In the stables, Naofumi was using the slave user shield to check up on the Filolials progress as they were getting a little bigger, and Ayato was checking up on cringer with a yarn to use as a ruler and check cringer height as he had a surprise look on his face to what he saw.
The group soon went monster hunting to gain some levels, as the Naofumi's Filolial was on his shoulder as it seemed happy to be there. Meanwhile the other Filolials were around Cringer as the tiger beast was currently watching over them, the best he can. He also had popped a balloon monster that got too close, protecting the little bird creatures while getting EXP as well.
More time passes as the Filolial birds are showing to have gotten more bigger as one was as big as Naofumi's head, with Ayato was letting Cringer carry some grocery on his back as it seem he was getting stronger himself while also leading the other Filolials as they follow him in a line behind him of sort as the group thought this was funny Cringer was like being a mother to them as well.
Back at the Inn the Filolials appetite had grown as well. Each of them had finish at least four bowls making a large pile of bowl on the table they were at, with the group were feeding each the bird, even cringer had a small pile of bones on the side with Ayato surprise to Cringer increase appetite and height, as Akane was wondering something about cringer.
During the nights as everyone were taking a washcloth bath, Cringer was cleaning the Filolials with his tongue thankfully wasn't eating them. But had gotten a lot of feathers in his mouth and started to cough up balls of feathers later on.
A new day had come with the group in an open field, the Filolials were now fully grown and seem ready to be ride on, even cringer as well as he gotten bigger to be easier to ride on as well, not as big as battle Cat, but big enough put a saddle on his back to try riding him as everyone gotten on the saddle of their Filolials and tiger, with Ayato surprise that Cringer is able to carry him with ease while everyone else getting on their Filolials with some practices, Naofumi's cry out happy before running out with Naofumi on the bird's back and going at great speed.
Akane yell out Ayato and Cringer to go after them, and just like that they too were off with the next surprising part that the rest were running off too as they were following behind Ayato and Cringer with Akane, Catra, and Swifty were wondering what just happen?
After a while as the sun started to set, everyone returned a little late as they looked tired after the ride they had, but also enjoyed it as well as they soon headed back to the stables.
(End Montage time skip)
At the stable as it was finally getting a good repair, the group were inside as they were looking at their new Filolials. Cringer seemed to have had a growth spurt that suddenly change Cringer in the last two days. The Filolials had already reached maturity even though they were born only a few days ago with Rahptalia said, "I can't believe that they grew so much in just two days." Raphtalia said as she saw the four Filolials.
"And look at Cringer, he got bigger as well." Yumi said as she saw the big green cat.
"Well, he's not as big as Battle Cat but still pretty big." Ayato said as he wagered, he'd probably be able to ride him into battle now.
"Still, they seriously look like Chocobos." Hajime added and thus Akane glared at her brother for a moment.
"Yes, and hopefully I won't have to hit my brother for singing that Choccobo Song again." Akane said as she swore the song was stuck in her head now.
"I want to ride Filolial's all day." Daito began to tune before he stepped away while whistling it.
"Stop it just because you switch Chocobo with Filolial doesn't make it any better!" Akane yelled and in turn the Filolial began to go along with the tune even going for the rest of it.
"Hey, looks like Filo likes it." Naofumi said as the group all heard him.
"Wait back up what?" Ayato asked as he looked to Naofumi in curiosity.
"Master Naofumi did you decide to name her Filo like Filolial?" Rahptalia asked as she saw how stupid that sounded.
"Yeah, but Filo seems to like it." Naofumi defended to which Ayato smirked to this.
"Kind of on the nose don't you think?" Hajime asked as she looked to the Naofumi.
"Got names for yours?" Naofumi asked as he did not want to name ALL of them Filo.
"Oh, right I decided to call mines Yuki." Hajime said as she rubbed the newly minted Yuki on the neck as the Filolial had a haughty yet prideful look in her face.
"Because she's white?" Yumi asked with a smirk on her face.
"Yes." Hajime said not even denying that fact.
"Yeah, well white as snow is great but little Sakura here won't be so easily ignored." Yumi said as she smirked to the pink Filolial named Sakura.
"Huh is this a contest now?" Daito asked before looking to his Filolial. "What do you think Kou?" Daito asked to his newly named Filolial Kou who seemed to be focused on his food.
That was when Ayato decided to torture his sister some more and thus, they got to it. "Filo, Sakura, Yuki, and Kou again same as the first." Ayato began and in turn Akane wanted to bang her head on the wall as the Filolials began to go off in tune with the newly created theme of the Filolial's.
Akane then looked over to her slave who was almost getting a kick out of seeing Akane suffer. "Catra kill me now and end my suffering." Akane said as she wanted that song out of her head.
That was when they noticed a commotion going on outside to which they opted to check it out. "Hey look at that." One of the Villagers said as the group saw this.
"Why are the Knights here?" Another asked and in turn the group decided to go investigate.
"This can't be good." Ayato said as he had a sinking feeling about all of this.
(Later outside)
Malty stood above the village as she was with the Knights and Motoyasu. "In light of his exploits during the last wave the spear hero, Sir Motoyasu, has been appointed ruling lord of this region." Malty said as Motoyasu was as smug as ever about it. "To help with the rebuilding efforts we decided to levy a toll. This toll will be 50 silvers to enter the village and 50 to exit." Mayne said as the Party arrived and heard everything while the village was wide eyed to this.
"But that will ruin us." A villager said wide eyed to this.
"We won't have anything left to buy food tomorrow." Another said as Ayato and Akane looked ready to step in.
"Do you dare to defy your lord's orders?" Malty asked and in turn Naofumi was heard.
"Yeah, you bet!" Naofumi yelled as in turn gasps were heard as Naofumi and his party made themselves known.
"The Shield Hero what are you still doing here?!" She demanded as she saw Naofumi here and also noted Ayato holding a box of something. "This is Sir Motoyasu's domain now you have no right to question him." She said to which Ayato looked ready to jump in. "Actually, leave this instant you miserable criminal." Malty began but Akane had enough.
"You first you manipulative pathological lying bitch." Akane was heard causing a gasp to be heard. Akane was walking up to Malty as she had that dumb Chocobo song stuck in her head and now she had a target to let out some frustration. "Clearly he's just a figure head while you pull his strings like an ugly puppet mistress and Spear boy here dances to your strings like the tool he is." Akane said as she glared at Mayne.
"How dare." Malty began only to remember how Akane tended to slap her silly and still go unpunished for it. But now it was direct eye contact, and she didn't want to risk it.
"Oh, I dare and let me just play a little game called Q&A." Akane said before looking to Motoyasu. "Ok Motoyasu answer me this do you have any fucking clue how much it costs to stay at an inn here?" Akane asked as Motoyasu heard this as did Naofumi.
"Actually, I um." Motoyasu began and in turn Akane smirked.
"I thought not, Naofumi if you can explain to Dummy McBlondie what the right answer." Akane said but Naofumi was already on it.
"It costs 1 Silver a night with food included." Naofumi said as he glared at Motoyasu. "You're charging the equivalent of 100 nights just to enter and exit the village. Do you realize that?" Naofumi asked but Akane scoffed to this as Hajime crossed her arms showing how annoyed she was with Motoyasu.
"Why ask such a stupid question of course he doesn't realize that. It was probably his little red-haired puppet mistress telling him to do it." Akane said as she then glared at Malty. "But let's face it the minute she doesn't need blondie here anymore she'll drop him like yesterday's news just like anyone with her mindset." Akane said as she looked to Malty calling her tactics for what they were. "And besides that, folks we still have a few problems for starters how many parts of this announcement is wrong to you, name each part and let your new 'lords,' hear you loud and clear." Akane said as she then glared at the Spear Hero.
"Yeah, their right!" A Villager called out as Ayato heard this and smiled.
"And you can't just show up here and call yourself our lord." A Villager called out the crowd quickly turned on Motoyasu.
"And it was the Shield Hero, He-Man, and She-Ra who defended this whole village when the Wave of Catastrophe hit." Another spoken out as Malty glared at them.
"You dare complain about a royal decree!" Malty yelled only for Yumi to counter.
"Of course, they dare especially one that was clearly built on the biggest loud of bull shit that's ever been heard." Yumi yelled as she glared at Malty. "Then again looking at you now kind of easy to figure out where it came from." Yumi said and in turn Malty was ready to lose it.
"What's next you're going to have your soldiers attack these people to intimidate them into obeying?" Akane asked as Malty smirked, but Akane smirked wider. "Just goes to show what I've been saying about you, when things don't go your way, you throw a tantrum and throw your royal power about." Akane said and in turn Ayato smirked.
"So go ahead do it prove to everyone what I just said and in turn spark rebellions and civil war in these lands. All focused on overthrowing a cruel lord and lady to regain their freedom and most of all watch as you ditch Motoyasu to save your own skin." Daito said as he looked to Malty all but daring her to pull that trigger. The Masters saw that Malty was hesitating as her hand was shaking now wanting to give the order, but pride prevented her from giving the heroes the satisfaction of being right about her.
Suddenly in a blink of an eye dark cloak figure with mask came forth and by the look of them they were women, as just about everyone else was confused of who they were other than Malty. Judging by the look on her face Malty might know who these people are as she glared at the dark cloak woman in the middle. The woman in the middle then said that seem to be aimed at Akane without even looking at her, "There won't be a need for such actions as we have come to settle this matter."
"You are," Malty began to say as she was shocked to see them as the same dark cloak woman looked up at Malty and said to her, "I trust you know who we are Princess Malty."
Why are you people here?" Malty asked confusedly as she had no idea why they were there in the first place until the dark cloak woman said as she handed to Malty a scroll, "For you."
"Who are they, Master Naofumi?" Rahptalia said as Naofumi had no clue on who these women are as he said to her, "No idea, but I can tell they're important."
Ayato leaned in towards Catra and said in a low tone, "This maybe a long shot but, do you have any idea of who they are?"
"No, if you don't know then why the hell should I know?" Catra said to Ayato as he back away as he said, "Jeez just thought I'd ask, no big deal."
"How could this be?" Malty said angrily as it seems her royal decree was now trash, false words now as she cannot make a move on it, but she wasn't going to give us so easily as she went to the only thing that would settle the matter as she said while pointing a finger at Naofumi, "Shield Hero! Fight us for the right to rule this village!"
Soon enough the group looked to each other before looking back to Malty and all went, "Huh?"
(Little later)
"So pretty much the redhead bitch can't make a move on the village unless she beat us for it, and if we decline it, it basically giving victory to her as turning down the challenge means basically giving up the rights to the village as well, great," Akane said as she gotten the idea as someone made it so no loop holes can be used as it must, things must be settle peacefully, with Ayato turn to his sister and said, "What are we going to do about this?"
"We have no choice, we either play their game this time or else this village will end up in the hands of dumb blonde spear hero who has no clue on how to rule an outhouse, and the lying bitch princess. So Naofumi it's on you," Akane said which made Yumi and Catra laugh to that thought, as Naofumi said, "I refuse!"
"Hu!? Weren't you listening to what will happen if you return down the challenge, your pretty much handing this village over to… those two," Hajime said as she had no idea what to say as she doesn't like to insult people despite how stupid or rotten they were, with the villager chef step up saying, "Please do help us, as the current lord, even I cannot accept further taxation at this time!"
"You see, even they are depending on you to save them again," Akane said as Naofumi said to her, "But why does that mean I have to take part in a dragon race, it sounded nothing but a pain in my ass."
Suddenly the Filolials turn their heads towards the dragon mount as it give a small hiss at cringer, as he was just trying to get a drink of water from a bucket that was near it, which made it back off, with the Filolials didn't like that one bit with Filo the one that steps up to it, as the nobleman said to Naofumi, "They've asked for you, and beside we don't have the right to challenge a Hero."
"So, it has to be you or else," Akane said as Daito said adding in his two cents, "And it's probably a whole lot better than starting a riot that could get some people killed in it and we may get blame for it."
"Geek has a point," Yumi said as thing could ended up very badly for all of them if they don't tread carefully as Ayato soon said, "But there's no telling what could happen, if the princess is in a bad mood, she may have something plan.
"That letter might have said something Myne didn't like at all," Naofumi said as he was focus on the situation at hand as Rahptalia soon said, "So she challenged you to take her frustration on you?"
"Probably a safe bet," Catra said as even she knew that Malty would do something in retaliation. After all what else would a spoiled princess do if things don't go her way. But just then Filo started to growl out at the dragon mount as everyone turn to her with the village chef said, "Your Filolial seem to be up for the challenge."
Naofumi rub his head in embarrassment as he said, "What is wrong with her?"
"Filolial naturally hates dragon for some reason, not sure why thought," Catra said as she Akane said, "Maybe because they would come from the same kind of eggs they do or something?"
"Who knows, but at least they are friendlier to Cringer," Ayato said as Filo or any of the others doesn't really show any kind of grudge or hatred towards cringer, maybe because he was not a full-fledged dragon. Or maybe they bonded with him well enough that it had overruled their hatred towards him. But in the end Ayato just shrugged to the thought as he didn't care about the details.
Suddenly the village chef and some of the people bows their heads to Naofumi as the chef said, "Please, we beg of you! We promise you a reward for winning!"
"That doesn't even sound so bad, you get something out of this," Akane said as Naofumi sighed to this as he said, "I'm not responsible for what happens if I lose, okay?"
(Moments later)
Motoyasu approached them as the masters were currently waiting for the race to start as they wanted to check out the area around the village where the race was taking place in but the shadows sort of stop them before they could try and ask them to remain with the villagers, just in case.
"That is so lame." Motoyasu suddenly said as he saw Filo. "You're gonna ride that bird thing not a dragon?" Motoyasu asked as Filo glared at Motoyasu with her eyes twitching a bit. Catra and Yumi saw this and gives a smirk as they knew what was coming next. "How can you possible keep up with my dragon with that thing?" Motoyasu asked and thus karma struck again
Not even a second later Motoyasu was kicked by Filo in the crotch that sent him flying. Even the Dragon was shocked by this as Catra and Yumi were laughing together about this. Motoyasu was all teary and smiling in pain as he flew across the sky from the force of the attack. "It's going, it's going." Yami said while Catra grin as she saw this. Once he hit the pile of Hay nearby with the princess shocked by this, Catra laughed harder as she saw this while Yumi yell out. "And he is out of here!"
(Nearby)
Atter Motoyasu landed in a stack of hay causing Melty to gasp when she saw this. "Sir Motoyasu." Malty gasped as Motoyasu was grasping his crotch from another kick he received to it. "Sir Motoyasu." She repeated as she kneeled next to him. "Healing magic come on!" She cried out but Motoyasu was speaking.
"Why... why is it always the nuts?" He asked in a high-pitched tone showing his pain, with Naofumi, the masters, even the Filolial were laughing or smiling big time to this as Akane said, "Talk about karma."
"Yeah, he totally had this coming," Ayato said as he agreed with his sister, with Malty suddenly glaring at Naofumi while she accuses him as she said, "You Cheater."
"Hey, takes one to know one." Ayato was heard as he walked in with a smirk on his face accompanied by Akane.
"Yeah, besides it's his fault for getting too close." Naofumi said with a smirk on his face. In turn Ayato, Naofumi, and Filo all shared a laugh, even cringer shared one while giving a weird hissing laugh at Motoyasu's expense with Akane smiling to this, seeing them acting like a family, with Raphtalia was surprised seeing Naofumi laughing, no doubt rare for her to see.
(Later at the Race)
The race was all set as Naofumi and Motoyasu were on their mounts while the masters watch the race as it was about to begin. As they waited Ayato was siting against Cringer who was laying down and Akane was close to Swift Wing no doubt her horse wanted to see this race
"The course will be three laps around the outskirts of this village," the village noble announce as he stood between the two riders with as he went on saying, "Whoever reaches this gate first will be declared the winner."
"Sir Motoyasu!" Malty cheer out to the spear hero as then Rahptalia cheer out to Naofumi as she said, "Good luck, Sir Naofumi!"
"Kick their asses Naofumi, Filo!" Ayato cheered out for his cousin just as Akane soon said, "We believe in you."
"Make them eat your dust!" Yumi said as Catra, Hajime, and Daito were at least waving a flap in their hands that had a shield symbol on it which some question of where they got them as Hajime said to him, "Race well!"
"On your marks!" The noble began as he raised his hand in the air and pause for a moment for both riders to be prepared to go as he then throw down his hand as he yelled out, "Start!"
After that both heroes were off, with Naofumi ahead of Motoyasu as filo kick up some dirt into the spear hero's face with Naofumi smile to this as he said, "Piece of cake."
Filo agreed with him as she made an exciting sound as the duo left Motoyasu and his dragon mount in the dust, as more dust was being kick up in his face, as both of them were coming up on the turn with Malty's guard stood by ready their plan as a guard started to chant, "As source of thy power, I order thee. Decipher the laws of nature and create a pit in front of me."
Naofumi keep on going as he look ahead being aware of any trap that may appeared, as the guard called out, "Earth Hole!"
Suddenly a hole appeared on the track where Naofumi was heading, taken off guard by this as he tries to slow Filo down to avoid it but took a tumble as they try to avoid, with Motoyasu taking the turn with ease and ride on leaving Naofumi behind if he realizing the hole there or not he didn't care and keep on riding as someone called out, "Oh no the shield hero!"
The masters saw Naofumi fell over as Akane look over to Malty and saw a smirk look on her face as she knew she did something, no doubt about it the spear hero team was cheating as Motoyasu ride by as Malty cheer out, "Sir Motoyasu!
Motoyasu give a moment to wink at her before riding off with Malty smiling to this, it suddenly vanish after hearing the loud thuds of Filo coming in fast as everyone step back to avoid the dust, Akane step behind the princess for a moment and give her a slight push forward into the dust cloud as she started to cough with Akane returning back to her spot while smiling to this as she cheer out, "Go Naofumi, you can do it!"
The two heroes were coming up to the next part with Malty's guard was chanting a spell, "As source of thy power. I order thee, decipher the laws of nature and slow my target."
As the two heroes ride closer to the next turn as suddenly as the guard called out, "Speed down!" a purple aura surrounded the two as they suddenly started to lose their speed while Motoyasu rode on ahead, once again not realizing what was going on, with Naofumi and Filo wasn't giving up so easily.
Naofumi taking note of this went wide eyed as this happened and grit his teeth in frustration and anger. When Motoyasu and his Dragon began to pass by the two the Dragon whipped Filo in the face with his tail making Naofumi go wide eyed in shock to this. "Dammit!" Naofumi cried out when he saw this and thus the two had enough. Filo roared a bit as she was not going to lose to a dragon.
(With Motoyasu)
As Motoyasu was in the lead he soon heard an explosion go off behind him and from the dust cloud he saw the familiar shape of Filo and Naofumi. "What the heck!? Go faster you, stupid dragon, do it like your life depended on it!" Motoyasu ordered as he try to make his dragon to go faster. But it proved useless as Naofumi was catching up to him before he then passed him at great speeds, while crossing the line and kicking up dust in Malty's face.
This of course got a laugh out of The Masters and Catra as they saw Malty get some much-deserved karma. Malty cough up and wipe the dust out of her eyes as she tries to see, with Raphtalia was amazed by Filo. Meanwhile Sakura, Yuki, and Kou were all cheering in their own way for their sister to win the race.
"Filo! One last lap!" Raphtalia called out just as Malty finally recover from that cloud of dust as she growled out, "Accursed beast!"
Soon enough both heroes were taking the next turn as Malty's guards were pulling off another dirty trick as one of them started to chant, "Decipher the laws of nature and hasten my target. Fast speed!"
Suddenly Motoyasu's dragon gain a speed boost which lead him to catch up to Naofumi and Filo. The two were soon head-to-head with each other, while also pushing Naofumi to the side, no doubt he sees the hole on the track and try to lead him to it to win. 'He's blocking my path.' Naofumi thought as he knew what this meant. 'We're heading straight for that hole.' Naofumi realized and thus knew he had to do something fast.
"Let's do this Filo!" Naofumi called out as he saw the hole in the ground. When they got close enough Naofumi saw a second hole appear and thus he opted to act. "Now Airstrike Shield!" Naofumi invoked and in turn the Airstrike shield covered the hole in which Filo used it to jump over the hole. Using the curve, a bit Filo kept on with the race as everyone was happy or shocked to see what just happened.
Once Filo was back on the main track the Filolial and Dragon were seen neck-to-neck with each other. Clearly Naofumi and Motoyasu were both intent on winning this race as they kept going to the finish line. With the ribbon now raised up, it was going to be a photo finish as the two racers ran to it. But as they went on it was clear that Filo was the one to cross the finish line first and in turn winning the race with the people of the village cheer out in glee!
(A Little later with Naofumi)
Naofumi was being cheer out by the entire village as he said, "I suppose, I guess we won."
Naofumi gotten off Filo as the village noble said to him, "Brilliantly done thanks to you we can rest easy and focus on rebuilding the village!"
Suddenly there was a puff a smoke and a green magical light shine out of nowhere which Naofumi didn't pay attention to it as it seemed. But the twins did as they were wide eye to what they saw. As Naofumi said, "If you wanna thank someone, thank Filo."
Suddenly when he went to pass Filo head, he just gotten a hand full of feather instead as he looked finally and to his surprise to see Filo now a giant bird creature as Filo looked at her master and went sounding happy, "Gaah!"
"Uh guys." Hajime was heard and in turn all eyes went to her and thus saw that Yuki, Sakura, and Kou had all transformed as well with Yumi and Daito looking at their Filolials in shock. Meanwhile Catra licked her lips a bit as the feline part of her saw prey in its plump and weakest state.
"Huh?" Naofumi asked shocked to see that their Filolials had all got plump like Filo.
"You cheated." Malty was heard as she accused Naofumi of cheating. "You didn't tell us your Filolial was really this massive tub of lard I see." She said accusing the Shield Hero of dishonesty in a contest.
"But it only transformed after the race was over." The Noble said trying to defend the Shield Hero.
"If anyone cheated or tried to, it was you guys." Naofumi said glaring at Malty as his party also joined in.
Akane opted to jump in as she glared at Malty as well. "Pot you've met kettle, right?" Akane asked as the accusation was clear in what she said.
"Yeah, there were holes suddenly popping up in the track those didn't just pop out of nowhere!" Daito called out as he glared at Malty.
"Holes? Don't be ridicules." Malty said as she tried to use her pretty face to help her lie.
"Like you?" Ayato taunted and thus Malty got an angry look at Ayato's world.
"Just goes to show that a self-serving lying bitch will always cry foul when things don't go her way." Akane added as she smirked a bit.
"The Shield hero is correct." Came a new voice as the group were in turn met with the cloaked figured from before. "We have detected traces of magic on the course." The Cloaked figure said as she kept her identity hidden.
"It was... look at him it was obviously that criminal who used that illegal magic." Malty tried to lie but alas the cloaked figured already knew her as a pathological liar.
"Untrue the shield hero magic are support and healing. His raccoon friend is light and shadow, the feline Demi human also has a shadow magic affinity, the maiden with him is Support, Healing, and Light, and the male alley is mostly combat based magic but not the level we had detected." The woman said as she looked to Malty as her queen had warned her of Malty's inability to be truthful. "All of which were in no way similar to the type of magic we found." She said as Naofumi and Akane were concerned by this.
'When did they learn so much about us?' Naofumi wondered before looking to Akane and saw she had similar thoughts as well.
"Thus, it is clear that the spear hero party cheated." The Woman said as Motoyasu still hadn't shown up yet.
"Well, we'll leave for now, but we'll be back you can count on that." Myne promised as she in turn began to storm off.
"Hey, has anyone seen the blond prick?" Akane asked and thus a moan of pain was heard. The group looked and saw Motoyasu walk in with as it was clear something happened recently since he was walking funny. "Never mind found him." Akane laughed as she saw the state Motoyasu was in.
"Remember I let you win today." Motoyasu said as he glared at Shiro. "But it won't happen next time, and you won't have that fat tub of." Motoyasu began but Ayato cut him off.
"You let him win? Kind of like how he let you win in the dual right?" Ayato asked and thus Motoyasu growled as it's already been spread that the Shield Hero let the Spear Hero win that dual.
"Which reminds me, how's your crotch doing?" Yumi asked as she absently cracked her knuckles with promise of a repeat of what she gave Motoyasu at the church.
"You... I'll get you yet!" Motoyasu called out and thus he sped walked away from them.
"Well, that should be enough from him for the time being." Daito said happy to finally be rid of Motoyasu.
Just then Catra showed up as she looked quite pleased with herself. "You gave him a nut shot, didn't you?" Akane asked as she looked to Catra.
"He tried flirting with me, I decided to tell him how I felt about it... also here." Catra said as she then took out a sack of coins. "Motoyasu was so generous to donate it to us." Catra said as Akane smirked to this knowing that Catra took Motoyasu's coin purse again.
"You think he ever found out what happened last time?" Akane asked and thus Catra shrugged to this showing that she did not know.
Once they were gone the Village Lord continued with things as normal. "Sir Hero again the whole village owes you and your party so very much. We don't know how to express our gratitude for everything you've done." The Village lord said as he was grateful for what Naofumi did for them.
"Forget about that just let me have the reward." Naofumi said making it clear where he stood on this. This of course surprised Akane and Ayato as Ayato decided to speak up on this.
"Naofumi." Ayato began but was cut off by the Village Elder.
"Sir we're going around the village collecting money right now. Please give us a few more days to." The Elder said but Naofumi cut him off.
"We don't want money." Naofumi said much to the relief of his party. "I don't want rumor getting around that we took all your rebuilding funds and left you with nothing." Naofumi said making it clear that a bad rep would do them more harm than good.
"Naofumi, I don't think anyone here would say that about you." Hajime said as Catra scoffed a bit.
"You think so?" Catra said as she still had her issues with trusting people.
"But sir hero how else will we be able to reward you?" The Elder asked and in turn Filo tapped her head on Naofumi's as then the group looked to something nearby.
"Something tells me we might have an idea." Daito said as already the gears were turning as they looked to the old wagon near where they were.
(Later on, the Road)
Later that day the sun was setting as the group were now riding down the road as Ayato was on Cringer's back, Akane on Swift Wing, and Hajime, Yumi, and Daito were on Yuki Sakura, and Kou respectably. It was all well and good until Ayato and Filo started that Chocobo tune again with the others following along as well. "I want to ride Filolial's all day. I wanna see them run. I wanna ride and play. I want to ride Filolials all day I wanna join the fun 20 cops and I'll play." Ayato sang as Filo went along with the tune.
"Naofumi make him stop." Akane begged as Naofumi was busy.
"If I make him stop Filo will start up," Naofumi defended as Filo was helping Ayato with the Filolial rendition of the Chocobo song with Hajime soon said, "It's not bad but I guess it is kind of getting a bit old."
"No kidding," Yumi said as she was already annoyed by the consent song as she had stuff some loose feather inside of her helmet against her ear to block out some of it as Daito said, "It may be a bit exhausting but still enjoyable while we ride."
"Well, I think it time to put a cork in it!" Catra said as she was getting annoyed by the song now as well as Ayato said, "You guys are just jealous that me and the Filolials are making history, as soon enough everyone will know the song and make a theme park for these guys."
"If I knock him off Cringer, can we run him over then and say it was a horrible accident?" Akane asked but it seems they had nothing to make the song leave their heads now.
"No." Naofumi responded as even he wanted the tune to end.
Just then Rahptalia was heard as she stuck her head from the wagon a bit. "Sorry Master Naofumi can we stop for a little bit. Just for a second?" Rahptalia asked as she had motion sickness. In turn the group came to a stop and thus Rahptalia ran out of the carriage and threw up behind a tree.
"Guess it's time to set up camp." Akane said as she saw the event play out. Then Ayato said while taking a break from the song for the time being, "Yeap."
(That evening)
The fire pit was set up as Cringer was seeing laying in the tree they stopped by. Catra was in the same tree as she was also resting similar to Cringer. Naofumi was setting Rahptalia down to rest as Swift was made into a pillow by the twins. "I'm sorry about this. To make you work after you let me rest all day." Rahptalia apologized as she looked to Naofumi.
"We're gonna be traveling a lot by cart now. You need to find a way to get over your motion sickness." Naofumi said as he looked upon Rahptalia.
"I'll try." She responded as she smiled up to Naofumi as Daito said as he suggested, "Maybe we can whip up some motion sickness meds or something."
"That will be for another time as we don't have a lot of herbs to use to try that," Hajime said as Yumi said, "Please, I got over my motion sickness by going on a rollercoaster at least a dozen of times."
"And then getting band from those rides a dozen times after for puking too much," Akane said with Ayato adding in his two cents to that as he said, "Not to mention all the junk food you ate before getting on, as if the ride wasn't making you sick before, those would have."
"You're face looks a little red do you have a fever?" Naofumi asked as he wasn't going to get pull into that conversation and be more concerned for Rahptalia as he saw her face all red.
"No, I don't." Rahptalia confirmed before she looked over to Filo and the others as she said, "Filo looks happy now that she gets to pull a cart."
"She sure does." Naofumi said as he honestly expected Swift Wing to be the cart puller of the group, but then again Swifty may not like that at all, not to mention that all of Filo's siblings were kind of looking jealous of her as they wanted to pull the wagon as well for some odd reason.
Naofumi then looked to the pass in his hand as Akane was still up and looked over to him and saw the pass as well.
(Flashback)
The group was prepared to ship out when Naofumi was stopped by the Village Lord. "Are you interested in becoming a traveling trader sir hero?" The Lord asked as he looked to Naofumi.
"A trader?" Naofumi asked as the idea sounded plausible.
"If you are this pass will come in handy. It exempts you from paying tolls across the country, so you'll be free to travel the roads wherever you wish." The lord said as Akane saw this and knew this could be a bit of a problem for Naofumi.
(End flashback)
"Now we can run a traveling business while fighting monsters and leveling up that's not too bad." Naofumi said as Akane knew she had to tell Naofumi this now.
"I'll do my best too." Raphtalia said as she looked to Naofumi.
"Get some sleep for tonight I'm not tired so I'll keep watch." Naofumi said to which Rahptalia nodded.
"Oh alright." Rahptalia agreed and thus began to drift off to sleep. In turn Filo came in and laid down next to Naofumi to allow some rest to take over causing Rahptalia to look at Filo. "Filo." Rahptalia scolded but alas it fell to deft ears. In fact, the other Filolials were doing the same with their own riders. Raphtalia saw it was pointless now and thus everyone went to sleep.
(Scene Break the next Morning)
"Master Naofumi." Rahptalia was heard as Ayato was gasping for air clearly in shock.
"Hey, Shield boy wake up!" Catra was heard as Naofumi began to come to and saw the shocked look on everyone's faces.
"Wow I must have fallen asleep." Naofumi said as he saw the group as he began to get back up. But as he got up his hand touched something fleshy instead of feathery causing him to look.
"Uh what?" Akane gasped as she tried to make sense of this.
"Guys." Daito was heard and thus he was seen with a young boy as even Hajime and Yumi were shocked seeing as in their places were other naked children.
"Ok before we make accusations, I would NEVER eat a bird... raw." Yumi said making it clear that the missing Filolials were not her fault.
Resting next to Naofumi was a blond haired nude young girl. In shock Naofumi stepped back as the group all saw her. "WHAT THE FU-." Ayato began only to cry out in pain when Cringer fell off his tree shocked awake by Ayato's screaming. "Get off Cringer." Ayato cursed as he was stuck under his green furred tiger.
"Who the heck are these kids? Where did they come from?" Akane asked as the girl began to get up smiling to Naofumi.
In turn the children all began to wake up and rise as soon they each sprouted feathery wings from their back much to the groups surprised of this. "Master hi good morning." She greeted with a smile as a pair of wings came out of her back.
The panic began to wake the boy up as he yawned a bit clearly disoriented or just very sleepy still. He was not one to do a lot of moving if it can be helped as he looked ready to fall asleep again. The little girl with Hajime saw the boy was about to fall asleep again causing her to glare at him. "Wake up!" She ordered and thus the pink haired girl laughed at the pair's antics.
"Again, who and where?" Akane repeated as Rahptalia and Catra helped Ayato up.
"How would I know?" Naofumi asked in shock to all of this as clearly no one saw this coming.
"Shouldn't we cover them up first?!" Hajime asked as she was clearly worried about what was going on.
"Can I have something to eat?" The girl asked with an exited tone all the while Ayato wanted answers to what was happening and where these kids came from.
"Oh, feed me, first!" The pink haired girl called out clearly wanting food of her own as well.
"Are we going to jail, or you know are we on some watch list now?" Daito asked as he did not want to be in prison anytime soon for this.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well, another chapter finished and ready for publishing. I hope you all enjoyed it and will join us for the next chapter. But until then I will ask you all to leave a review before leaving and as I always say to you, ja-ne.