Rising of the Masters of the Universe
ESKK:
(Start Snake Mountain)
Up on Snake Mountain Skeletor was preparing his forces for their next major strike. Skeletor sat on his throne as he was clearly scheming something big. "So how goes our long-term scheme?" Skeletor asked as he tapped his fingertips together.
"You'll be surprised with how easy it was for me to sneak into the Castle and get the Knights in on it... all it took was a little Havoc and they become ready to act at a moment's notice." Rino said as she was getting the dents out of Tri-Clops. Rino was now dressed in battle armor with a dark green hue to it. As she tinkered, she smiled as her little friend seemed happy to be with her.
"Good, that's good and yet the Church of the Three Heroes might prove to be a problem." Skeletor said as he knew the Church had a little secret weapon of theirs.
"I've already thought about that, the Mimic Weapon is formidable, but I suspected it was not only an attempt to mimic the Cardinal Weapons but also an attempt to channel the power of Greyskull." Shadow Weaver said as she hovered into the scene. "I beg your pardon for the intrusion milord, but I had just returned from the field with this." Shadow Weaver said as she held up a seed of some kind. "The Monster the Spear Hero Unleashed was not very keen on parting with one of its seeds." Shadow Weaver said as she handed it over to Skeletor.
"Good that's good." Skeletor said as he looked to the seed in question. "Now then about the mimic weapon?" Skeletor asked as he looked to Shadow Weaver.
"I have a theory if the mimic was made to be able to channel the power of Greyskull then perhaps the same can apply to Havoc." Shadow Weaver offered which got Skeletor thinking.
"Hmm My Havoc Staff is more than suitable for that... but the Mimic Weapon will double that power when Havoc removes its limited magical power." Skeletor said as Havoc was power without end after all. "While you're not much of a fighter I do value your incredible mind, Shadow Weaver, yes." Skeletor said grinning to Shadow Weaver.
"It is my pleasure, Lord Skeletor." Shadow Weaver said and in turn with a bow she departed from the room.
"She's smart... I don't like it." Rino said glaring at Shadow Weaver who took her leave. "She's up to something." Rino added as Skeletor knew this well enough.
"Of course, she is up to something." Skeletor said as he had been suspicious of her ever since she rejected his offer of Havoc. Skeletor suspected she was aware of the contingency it came with in case his followers tried to usurp him and thus he was prepared for it. "I know her sort, she's the kind Malty wishes she was smart cunning and able to keep a poker face while using truth and lies to her advantage." Skeletor said as he knew the sort of person Shadow Weaver was. "She's like a spider spinning her webs but unlike her I spin my webs larger." Skeletor said tapping his hand on his throne seemingly unaware of a little rune on it.
(With Evil-Lynn)
"Hmm so Shadow Weaver is not as trusted as I thought." Evil-Lynn said as she might be able to use that to her advantage. After all she was no one's servant especially not Skeletor and his megalomaniac ambitions. "This might make our coup either easier or exceptionally harder." Evil-Lynn said as she needed to know exactly whose side Shadow Weaver was actually on.
(Scene Break Masters on the Road)
The Masters of the Universe were seen driving down the road this time Filo was pulling the wagon heading south. Raphtalia was currently on the reigns with Naofumi next to her. Inside the wagon were cases of herbicide as the group all took note of it. Akane and Ayato were on the outside riding alongside the wagon in Cringer and Swift Wing. Orko had also joined their party when he was not staying with the Sorceress who found the little robot to be endearing in a way.
The Merchant whom they had been doing regular business with had informed them of an order for a village down south in desperate need of this stuff. Now for some of them they understood if there were weeds and the like but the amount here was huge for simple farming. It made him wonder what was going on that they needed all this stuff so soon. A part of him suspected some sort of situation and considering he was in a magical world there was no doubt in his mind that there may be plant monsters involved here. Naofumi had no problem doing this delivery since they were being paid to do it. But Ayato and Akane meanwhile didn't exactly trust the things going on around here. Now needing this much wasn't exactly uncommon since it was enough to last the year and some people prepare that far out. But when one added rush delivery for this amount it was clear that things were becoming dire and even Ayato suspected it was not something as simple as weeds.
Of course, there were variables that were missing in this scenario and until he had them all the Master would need to proceed with due caution. "Master the plants here are amazing." Filo said and thus the group took notice to their surroundings while on the road.
Looking at it Catra glared at it as Akane felt otherwise as did Hajime. "Amazing is not the word I would use in this case." Hajime said as something about those plants just rubbed her the wrong way.
"Guys I think I know why these people need all of this weed killer." Daito said as he saw all the vines growing in the area.
"Please tell me this isn't the village that moron 'helped,' out." Akane added riding up closer to the wagon.
"I really hope not." Naofumi said as he just knew he would have to clean up this mess somehow.
Just then Raphtalia's ears twitched when she took note of something. "Everyone looked ahead." Raphtalia said and in turn the Masters saw a huge wall that had the same roots growing upon it.
"That is not a good picture." Yumi said as she saw how this looked.
"Filo get us up there as fast as you can." Naofumi ordered while mentally thankful that Daito had taken the needed precautions to ensure that their cargo was all strapped down in case of a bumpy ride.
"Here we go!" Filo called out and thus she picked up the speed to get to the town quickly. Daito had also made a small side note to see if he could possibly update their wagon with some sturdy materials.
(Later at the Camp)
The Masters of the Universe eventually arrived and when he did the people were happy to see him. They had already began unloading the herbicide from his wagon with Raphtalia's help until Naofumi had to speak with the village elder. "I don't know how to thank you enough this place was about to fall prey to all the vines too." The old man said as the Masters stood before him with Orko hovering among the Filolials.
"How about burning them or did you already try that?" Raphtalia said as Catra gave the area an annoyed glare.
"Me thinks that did not work." Catra said to which the old man nodded to the cat girl's observation of the situation.
"We've tried everything we could think of. We even resorted to summoning adventurers, but the situation is worse than before." The old man said as Akane then face palmed herself feeling a headache was coming on. "Our village was already overrun by the vines what's worse the plants turned into monsters and started to attack us." The old man said as this got their attention on them.
"Monsters?" Naofumi asked as that was cause for concern.
Just then a scream echoed from outside the walls causing everyone to stop and look to said wall with concern. "Some Adventurers went to level up but when they departed, they had no idea what was waiting for them." the old man said as he explained the origin of that scream.
"Well looks like we have idiots in danger." Yumi which Naofumi understood well enough.
"Filo, Yuki, Sakura, and Koh go and bring those Adventurers back here." Naofumi ordered as Sakura, Yuki, and Koh transformed into their Filolial forms.
"Right!" They four responded before departing into the wilds of the vines.
(Later)
The four Filolials eventually returned and dropped the Adventurers on the ground. "We've retrieved them all master!" Yuki responded as she stood upright and proud before the group.
"Great job." Akane said with a nod to Yuki as Hajime moved in to start healing them.
"Orko." Daito began as he looked to the robot wizard. "Can you go out into the wilds and scout around see what you can learn on what we're dealing with?" Daito asked as he looked to Orko.
"No problem I'll use a spell to." Orko began but was cut off by Daito.
"No spells just go out, take a look, come back, and tell us what you found." Daito said as Orko got the gist of it.
"Alright." Orko said a but unhappy that he could not use his magic here before flying off to start scouting the area.
"Hey when you guys were out there saving the adventurers what did you see how there so far?" Ayato asked with Kou starting out saying, "There were plant monsters everywhere
"And some of them even spat poison or acid, or something at us. I wonder why these guys went out there when they are so weak," Filo said as Sakura spoken up next saying, "Weak and pretty stupid really."
"Filo, Sakura!" Yuki said to her sisters while giving them a scolding look as Raphtalia said to them, "You really didn't have to say those last parts about them!"
"Huh?" both Filo and Sakura went as Raphtalia said to them, "Don't 'Huh' me."
"She's right. What you two said was rude and mean, so no more treats for you two for the rest of the day" Akane said as both Filolial moaned in sadness to this as the village people area was taking notice that all the Filolials were talking as they started to say," Those creatures talks."
"Could they be the Heavenly Fowls?" another villager said as third villager said, "The savior of the heavenly fowl has come to our village too."
"Please tell us adventurers, is one of you true the savior who travels in a carriage drawn by heavenly fowl and is rumored who also travel with a group of heroes calls the masters?" the village chef question as before anyone could say anything Naofumi said, "Sorry wrong people."
"Naofumi, don't be rude," Akane said as Ayato said to the chef, "He is the one you heard of, but the masters are another group entirely that we had a run in a couple of times."
"Then I beg of you, use your powers to heal our sick, there's no greater good you can do!" the chef said as Hajime came up and ask, "How bad are we talking about?"
The group travel to the large tent where all the sick and wounded people are kept, but being sick and hurt were one thing, but what shock the group was the people who were really sick had vines grouping out of their bodies as the chef said, "As you can see the plants are devouring their bodies."
"Those damn thing are parasitic," Naofumi said as the chef said, "I can't ask you strongly enough savior, please do what you can to heal them please."
"I can't safely assure to say we can heal them," Naofumi said as Ayato said, "But we'll do what we can. Hey guys try bringing those weed killer potion in here, and let's see what we can do with them for these guys."
"Got it!/Right/whatever," Daito, Yumi and Catra said as they went back to the wagon and brought out some cases of the potion with Naofumi taking some along with Hajime as both of them may have a better chance to figuring it out as Naofumi had his book shield out as he gave a bit of potion to a kid, the potion worked on stopping the vines from growing anymore then a notification pops up saying "Potion enhancement." which Naofumi pour the rest of the potion of the kid killing the vines on them as they turn to dust with everyone surprise by this.
Soon enough Hajime summon forth a rain cloud as everyone was pouring a good amount of potion into it as the cloud itself absorb it like a sponge while turning purple, it soon hovered above and started showering over each person with vines growing out of them as the potion took effect killing those vines right away.
(little later)
Outside as Filo and Sakura were trying to get a snack, but Yuki stops them before they could, as soon enough at the group left the tent as Raphtalia said, "That went well and fast too thanks to Hajime."
"It was nothing, if not for Naofumi enhancing all the potions effects I doubt my idea would have worked that well," Hajime said as Naofumi said, "I guess but we're out of here as soon we get our money. This isn't our mess to clean up."
"Come on Naofumi, have a heart," Ayato said as Yumi said, "Yeah, don't be a jerk."
"Ah, guys," Daito called out as everyone look to see the village chef and two others bowing down before the group as the old man said, "Our savior of the heavenly fowl, we beg you and your companions from the bottom of our hearts, please save our village."
Naofumi had no choice but to listen to their request as the village chef told the group, "Our village was being ravage by fathom, until one day the spear hero visited."
"Should have known," Akane said as almost every one of the group members groaned as now, they knew it was the spear moron who was responsible for this mess as the village chef went on saying, "When he heard of our plight, he went to some nearby ruins and brought back a seed that has been sealed there for many years before. He called it the miracle seed."
"Then no doubt that seed was the one seal within those tunnel ruins," Ayato said as one of the villagers next to the chef said, "At first We had no idea, we were over joy of how quickly of how the plants were growing and bearing fruit."
"I guess that what cause everyone in that tent to get sick and had vines grow out of them, they ate the fruit?" Hajime said as no doubt if the seed was bad, no doubt the fruit these plants bear was also not a good food source as the village guy nodded to this as he went on saying, "We thought it was safe, however."
"They overgrew and started spreading out throughout your village and no doubt made you get run out by them," Catra said as the village chef said, "Indeed, while investigating our options, we hit upon an ancient legend, pass down among our people. A long time ago an Alchemist would set up shop in this area created a seed, for some reason he sealed it away."
"Legend also said that after a short while, the plants would over grow everything in the region," the third village guy said as Naofumi said, "Now hang on a second, why didn't any of you have doubts about that seed when you already knew about that legend."
"That's easy to figure out, you thought it would be safe when a hero brought it to you?" Akane said as no one answer that but the look on their faces and their silent told enough as they soon bow down as the chef presented a small bag of coins, no doubt that's all they have left as he said, "Savior of the heavenly fowl, we would pay for any treatment including the extermination for the monster in advance, just please save our village, I beg you."
"Well, they did say please," Hajime said as she looked to Naofumi to see what he says. But even if he refuses, the group would, still take care of it as masters, with Naofumi stood up and took the money without much fuss as he soon said," I don't like cleaning up after that moron, Motoyasu, but I'll earn my keep."
"And also, this would no doubt help your rep go up and everyone can be kissing your ass instead of the other heroes," Catra said with Naofumi didn't think of that but smile to that thought as Akane said, "Don't feed his ego Catra, he'll start growing a big head because of that."
"Whatever," Catra said as soon enough as the group was soon heading out with the shield transform showing the people around who he really is, as the group soon left the fort village with Orko soon came back as he said, "Hey everyone body I've return from the village."
"So, what did you find Orko?" Daito asked the little robot as he said, "Well there are many plants like monsters around the village spitting all sort of gung at me, a few dozen or so, including a big one that was in the center of the village."
"A bigger one?" Naofumi question as Orko nodded and hover a bit high as said, "Yeah, it looks just like a tree which was this big, and had a strange looking flower on it, you can't miss it."
"Well then, let's see what this big monster is all about then," Ayato said as he is prepared to chop it down with his sword as soon enough the group went out to the village to deal with the plant monsters for good."
(At the village)
The battle began as the Shield Party was fighting off the giant plant monster at the center of the village. At the moment they were taking on one of the lesser monsters as Naofumi slashed through it with the blade shield as he smirked at it. "Daito If I hadn't said it before I'll say it now, I love this thing!" Naofumi said as the blade retracted to await its next use in combat.
"Guys heads up! The big one is here!" Yumi called out as she took out a pair of battle axes she picked up from their last trip into town.
"So, if we destroy it this will all be over!" Naofumi said as he looked at the foe.
"That's the goal but getting to that might be hard." Catra said as she cracked her whip for this.
"Don't worry I got it!" Sakura called out and thus charged into the fight.
"Sakura, wait!" Yumi called out but the pink Filolial was already on it.
"Naofumi!" Ayato called and thus the Shield Hero was way ahead of them.
"Airstrike Shield!" Naofumi called out and thus using the skill Sakura hopped off it and proceeded to kick the monster's eye in. When Sakura got back the eye quickly regenerated as this got everyone to worry a bit.
"Great the ugly bastard has healing powers." Yumi growled as Hajime had her Vassal Staff ready with spells.
"This means normal attacks won't cut it." Hajime said as they needed a new plan of attack.
"I got something." Naofumi said taking out several bottles of herbicide and passing it around to everyone. "Ok everyone poor the Herbicide directly onto that monster." Naofumi ordered and in turn everyone got ready. Thus, the group each mounted onto their rides while Raphtalia got on Filo's back. Thus, they all got moving with the Filolials taking to the sky for this while Cringer and Swiftwing took the ground approach.
One by one they each opened the bottles they had pouring the contents of the Herbicide onto the monster causing it extreme pain from the varying parts hit. But alas it was for not as each part that was hit by the Herbicide began to heal up. "It's Regenerating again?" Naofumi asked as he watched this with Catra and Orko.
"Well, I'm out of ideas." Catra said as Naofumi began to think for a moment.
He remembered how the potion enhancement worked on the Herbicide to heal the sick so with this in mind he got an idea. Naofumi began to walk forward not even bothered with the battle going on as he began to plan. Raphtalia saw this as did Catra both Demi-humans were wide eyed to this. "Master Naofumi stay away!" Raphtalia called out as Catra was about to grab him.
But it was too late as the vines suddenly grabbed him and stopped the Shield Hero for but a moment. Just then the vines began to glow with the shield and in turn began to snap off of Naofumi as he continued on his path. "Ok that's cook." Daito said as Naofumi then used the crossbow shield and fired a few bolts at the vines to keep them off of him.
Once Naofumi got close enough he took out the bottle of Herbicide as his potion enhance skill got to work. He then opened the bottle and proceeded to pour out the contents of the herbicide directly onto the monster. The results were near instant as everyone saw the monster beginning to die from the effects.
"Everyone, get back!" Akane cried out and thus they all got moving out of the way.
"TIMBER!" Yumi called out while running away as well.
The monster tree fell and in turn a dust cloud began to form. Once it did everyone saw the seeds inside the fruits and knew those had to be dealt with. "We need to deal with those Ripe Seeds before they can cause more trouble." Yuki said being the brains of her siblings.
"She's right, everyone, start gathering as many of those seeds as possible." Naofumi ordered and thus everyone got to work. Or at least they tried to get started when a new voice spoke up.
"Now just hold on for a moment." Came the voice of Shadow Weaver as from the dust the dark woman showed up taking a few of the seeds herself.
"What why now?!" Akane cried out annoyed to see her here.
"Oh, don't mind me, Skeletor asked me to find the monster seed since the spear moron took it. Alas I could not best it as it was so I must thank you for doing the dirty work for me." Shadow Weaver said taking a small handful of the seeds and putting them into the bag. "Now I have no time to talk so I must be off." Shadow Weaver said and thus she got ready to leave via a portal.
Yumi then roared and charged at Shadow Weaver before jumping up to chop her down with her axe. The result was Shadow Weaver escaping vanishing from sight. "Dammit." Yumi cursed as she almost had the shadow witch.
"Great we ended up helping the bad guy." Daito said as Naofumi glared at where Shadow Weaver vanished too.
"Heh for all his talk on how he wouldn't jerk me around he has a nasty habit of doing it anyway." Naofumi said as he saw he made the right choice not siding with Skeletor.
"Come on let's get the others before she decides to come back and take some more." Ayato said and in turn they started to work on gathering up all the monster seeds.
(Later)
Everyone was now hard at work grabbing the fruit so they can deal with the seeds inside them. They all knew that if the seeds got out then this whole mess would just start right back up. So far everything was going good as Naofumi saw it go down. With this many hands they should be done within a couple of hours so long as everyone paid attention to what they were grabbing.
Yuki was diligent with her work as Hajime was the same way. Koh and Daito were having some difficulty mainly with Daito trying to keep Koh focused on the task at hand. Sakura and Yumi seemed to have made a game out of it to see who could grab the most. Meanwhile Raphtalia and Filo were arguing a bit over trying to get them. Catra and Akane were loading up the baskets of seeds onto Swift Wing and Cringer as Ayato was also grabbing the fruit and the ripe seeds.
"Huh?" Ayato asked as he looked over to Naofumi and saw him feed the monsters remains to his shield. Walking over Ayato went to investigate and see what Naofumi was doing. "Hey Naofumi, what are you doing?" Ayato asked as he looked to his relative wondering what he was doing with the new shield.
"Just watch." Naofumi said and in turn used a new skill on the seed before planting it. Ayato got a bit worried when the plant grew and thus the monster was formed from it. The wielder of the Sword of Power was ready to fight when all of a sudden, the monsters form began to die on the spot and thus it fell over.
"What was that?" Raphtalia asked as she walked over as well to see what Naofumi was doing.
"I just unlock a skill called plant modification, did a little experiment," Naofumi said as Raphtalia got upset hearing this as she said, "We barely took down that monster, if you don't mind don't be so reckless."
"She is right you know, until you got that skilled fully figured out, please don't grow any giant plant monsters," Ayato said as fighting against a plant base monster may have been easy the first time, but if Naofumi accidently enhance said monsters, then there would be a problem as he said, "Fine."
(later at the fort)
"Thank you so much savior of the heavenly- ah... I mean shield hero," the village chef said to Naofumi as he said to the old guy, "I exterminated with the monsters, but you have to clean up the vines your own time."
"Naofumi, don't be mean to them," Akane said as she elbow him a bit before she turn to the people of the village they just saved as she said, "He meant to say we would have help you guys out more by cleaning up some of the vines, but we are busy, and most likely head out tomorrow sense the sun is already going down."
"I understand, thank you once again," the village chef said as Hajime said, "It was our pleasure."
"I'm going to sleep," Naofumi said as Raphtalia turn to him as she said, "Of course." as Naofumi headed towards the cart wagon as Ayato said, "He may have the right idea, it is getting late, so let's set up camp and try to leave after sun rise."
"Couldn't agree more," Yumi said as she was feeling a bit tired as Daito said, "I'll get some firewood then."
After that everyone went out to do their own thing while Naofumi has the current close on the cart as while he had a box full of seed as he started to mess with them using his new plant modification as he changed his shield to the leaf shield, but before he did anything, he laid down pulling a blanket over him to get some rest for later.
(Night Fall)
As the fire burning and food was made for everyone around as most of the masters were hanging by the fire as a woman handed Raphtalia a bowl as she took it and said to her, "Thanks, that's very kind of you."
"IT kind of difficult to get a read on shield hero, isn't it? he very much keeps to himself," the village chef said as Akane said to him, "Well don't take it personally, our cousin had a bad start to his hero journey and been going through a bit of a rough patch lately."
"But he is so quiet and cool, isn't he?" Raphtalia said as Akane eye the raccoon girl a bit before giving a smile as she scooted over to her as she said to Raphtalia in a low tone, "Well he is very handsome, isn't he? I bet you want to lay with him, right?"
Raphtalia started to blush to this as she said, "I-it's nothing like that, I'm just saying that how Master Naofumi is!"
"Right, then why are you blushing?" Akane said as Raphtalia just blush even more as Ayato said to his sister," Ease up sis, you might make you pass out."
"Oh, where is the fun in that?" Akane said as Catra who was minding her own business while she was eating as said to her own master and companions, "You guy are so weird."
(later that night)
The embers of the fire were going out, Naofumi woke up in the middle of the night after getting some sleep, he started to work on his plant modification, while using a combination of his shields to help modify the seed more as he decided to test one out as he said, "Time for the first test."
Throwing the seeds in the middle of a random field, the seed landed and started to grow out quickly as it grew into vines as they grew out before dying soon after as Naofumi said, "Hu? Oh, right forgot to change it life span back. Let's try that again."
He threw another one as the seed started to grow again. But this time the seed grew out into vines again before growing into a bush before it stopped growing as Naofumi smile to this as he said, "I did it, now I just need to figure out how to enhance it a bit, too bad I can't use the power of Greyskull somehow."
After saying most of the magic words, Naofumi shield started to glow golden as he held more seeds in his hand not realizing what he did, as he throw the 3rd seed out, the seed was glowing a well as it landed on the ground, it soon grow quickly like the others did, but something strange started to happen as vines came forth but instead of growing into another bush, it started to grow into a tree as Naofumi was surprise by this as he said, "Crap, did I somehow messed up the modification?"
soon enough as the tree grew big as vines and moss grew all over it until it stopped suddenly as Naofumi waited for anything to happen, but no giant eyeball came forth as Naofumi relax a bit as he let out a breath of relief to that as he said, "For a moment there I thought I did- "
"Ahhhhoooo," a voice came forth from the tree suddenly as Naofumi stop talking at that moment. He looked to the tree itself as he sees the moss on the tree moving with the bark of the tree breaking, off. In response Naofumi backed away and held up his shield, as he forgot to grab a bottle of Herbicide, he would have to take care of whatever monster that was about to come forth himself.
Suddenly the bark on the side of the tree breaks off with a large chunk of moss with it as tie feel down and soon enough the pile of moss started to move and shift with some of the bark moving as well, taking a form as Naofumi prepared himself as the plant creature raise something up which form into an arm with a hand and five fingers, then another arm came forth then a pair of legs before the torso and head started to form as the creature stood up on its feet as Naofumi was surprise to see the plant creature taking on a humanoid form.
Soon enough a face form on the creature as it sort took on an sasquatch like form as the moss on its body became like fur for it with body seem more human like, then soon enough it open its eyes for the first time, Naofumi raise his shield just in case, but instead of the creature attacking him, it raise its shoulders and move them around with some cracking sound to be heard before it raise its arms and stretch them around his back with more cracking sound before it put it arms down and tilt its head and crack its head as it seem the creature was stretching itself
Naofumi didn't know what to expect of the creature to do next as it just raise it hands as it looks at itself, looking curious, maybe confused as Naofumi said to himself, "What is that thing doing?"
"Were... you the one," the creature started to say surprise Naofumi when it did speak as Naofumi lower his shield a bit as the creature finish speaking, "The one who created me?"
"Naofumi!" his cousins called out as Ayato and Akane suddenly came forth with their weapons in hand as Naofumi was surprised to see them there as he said, "What are you all doing here?"
"WE suddenly felt a spike of Grayskull powers being used somehow, and we came to check it out," Akane said as Ayato point out to the creature, "Just what is that thing anyways?"
"Grayskull," the creature said as he looked down at its hands again as he said, "I know it."
"Wait, what? What do you mean you know Grayskull? are you with Skeletor?" Ayato said as he got ready to fight the creature until Naofumi said, "Hold on... I was the one that made this thing."
"what do you mean you made it?" Akane said as Naofumi said, "I don't know how exactly but somehow when I was testing out these new seeds, this thing came out from a tree that grew."
"Tree... yes, I was born from the tree," the creature said as he turned to the tree he came out from as the twins lower their weapons as Ayato said, "Okay then, if it came from the tree that you grew it from... is it a friend?"
"I believe so, but I have no idea what it is?" Naofumi said as Akane spoken up to the creature as she asked it, "Hey, who or what are you anyways?"
"Who am I?" the creature said as it turns to them and tries to think, but after a moment as he soon answers as he said, "I do not know, I do not have a name... would you give me one?"
"Give you a name?" Naofumi asked with the creature nodded to him as Ayato look to his cousin and ask him, "Got any idea what to call it?"
"Let me think... it came from the moss that grew on the tree... looks like a man... Moss-man?" Naofumi said as his cousins could only look in disbelief at him. It would seem that making up names isn't his forte, but the creature soon said, "Moss-man... I am Moss-man."
"Well too late to change it now then," Akane said as the now Moss-man accepted his new name as Ayato soon ask, "So what are we going to do with our new Mossy friend here?"
"Maybe he could join us or something?" Akane suggested as Ayato look at her and said, "You really think that Naofumi would let… Moss-man join us or even if he wants to come along with us?"
"Only one way to find out," Akane said as she turned to Naofumi as she looked to him waiting for him to say something as he saw the look and asked her, "What?"
"Well, are you going to ask it to join us?" Akane said to him as Naofumi said to her, "And why would I do that?"
"You created him, did you, you got to take responsibility for it you know," Akane said as Naofumi roll his eyes as he said, "Find then. Hey Moss-man, by any chance, you want to come along with us on our journey?"
Moss-man look to Naofumi when he asked that question to him as Naofumi went on saying, "IF you do, you got to do your fair share of work."
"Really Naofumi?" Ayato said to his cousin as Naofumi didn't respond to that as Moss-man soon said, "No thank you."
"hu, why not?" Akane said as Moss-man turn to the village as he can sense pain from it, as he said, "This world, I do not know it well enough… I was just born and know only so much, I wish to learn more, before I walk it lands, I must walk these field… so much destruction, so much pain, so much suffering to the land itself here."
"So, you wish to stay here then?" Naofumi said to Moss-man as he nodded as Akane look closely as she saw the area around Moss man was growing grass, flowers, and other green life as Akane had a thought as she smiled and said, "I think I have an idea for a job our new friend here can do."
"hm?" both boys look at Akane as they had no idea what is going on in her head as Akane soon wanted to try something as she took a monster seed from Naofumi and walk over to Moss-man and said, "Hey Moss-man… what do you think you can do with this seed?"
Moss-man held out his hand as Akane place the seed in his hand as he look at it as he close his hand as suddenly it started to glow with the power of Grayskull a bit before it stopped and then Moss-man drop the seed down as it suddenly grew out into a small fruit tree, as it started to grow fruits right away as Naofumi said, "He did my job before I could figure it out… well less work for me at least."
"And to help this village get back on its feet," Akane said as soon enough the sun started to rise up from behind the mountains as the dark skies turn blue as the twins and the shield hero with their new friend came back to the village itself for a surprise to everyone.
(Scene Break the Next Morning)
Needless to say, Mossman was more or less on the bench when he was introduced. Using the initial seeds Naofumi saw that Mossman was growing crops for the villagers without problem. Looking around he observed humans with the curiosity of a child who was seeing the world for the first time.
"So, to make a long story short Mossman was a happy accident." Naofumi admitted to his short coming as Mossman grew crops for the people by simply raising his hand. "But after we figured out what he can do we got to work on curving the mutation and growth potential of the seeds." Naofumi said as he looked to the Villages.
"Did I do all of that damage?" Mossman asked as he saw the damage to the village the monster caused.
"No Mossman the thing you came from did." Akane said trying to prevent a possible hell face.
"If I came from that creature, did I not cause that damage by proxy?" He asked no doubt seeing his own short comings in this.
"No, you weren't yourself but now you can choose what you want to do." Ayato said as Mossman then raised his arm and grew a tree not just any tree a tree for lumber.
"Can this... help rebuild?" Mossman asked as he looked to the village head.
"Oh, um yes if we can chop it down it would be a big help to us." The village head said and thus Mossman was grateful for this.
"Anyway, with Mossman's help your village will flourish and will be well fed for years to come." Akane said and thus the Village Elder was just beside himself with joy.
"Thank you, Shield Hero not only did you save us from danger, but you have given us the most wonderful gift we could imagine." The Village Elder said but Naofumi would beg to differ on this.
"Who said anything about giving it." Naofumi said as Mossman heard this.
"Wait you're not giving it?" Mossman asked as he walked over and looked upon Naofumi. "Why?" Mossman asked as he was curious to this.
"Look Mossman you weren't around for most of it, but I had to do a lot of work to help these people and." Naofumi said but Mossman cut him off.
"But these people were suffering because of my old self." Mossman said as Akane sighed to this wondering what Naofumi was thinking. "If me being here continues to hurt them then I will not stay." Mossman said but then Ayato had an idea.
"Wait Mossman chief." Ayato spoke up getting the trios attention. "Maybe we can work a trade right now you guys have a lot of fruit to spare... maybe we can take the fruit as payment for the seeds." Ayato offered and thus the deal was actually welcoming.
"Yes... I think that can work." Mossman said and thus raising his hand forward more fruit popped out from the small tree. "Will this suffice?" Mossman asked as he looked to the group and thus the idea was formed.
"This is more than enough." Daito said with a grin on his face and in turn they all had the trade made.
(Scene Break on the Road)
The good news was that by the end of it the group managed to get a large harvest to sell to other people. Plus, when they were leaving Mossman had made a swing set that the village children took a liking to, and they even saw a little girl give him a flower. At the moment they were on the road again with Filo pulling the wagon.
"I think those people will be doing just fine from now on." Ayato said as he rode on Cringers back with Akane on Swift Wing.
"No kidding." Daito said as next to him Yumi was sprawled out snoring away on the ride while Koh and Sakura looked at her funny. "So Naofumi what do you plan to do about the fruit surplus?" Daito asked as he looked to the fruit while keeping an eye on the Filolials, so they don't try to eat anymore of the fruit. "Not to be that guy but how do you plan to deal with it before it goes bad?" Daito asked as he knew there was way too much for them to sell right now.
"Don't worry I know who we can sell it too." Naofumi said with a confident tone in his voice.
(Scene Break Merchants Home)
The group were gathered before the merchant lord who was currently looking at the seed Naofumi and his party had brought with a magnifying glass. "This is certainly an impressive seed." He began before taking his eyes off it. "I'll be happy to take as many as you can give me including all the produce." He said as Naofumi and Raphtalia sat side by side as Filo and Sakura both looked like they wanted more of the fruit they were selling while Yuki stood up proud with Koh dozing off a bit.
"So can we say we have a deal?" Naofumi asked as he also made note to keep Mossman out of the topic for his own sake. Naofumi had made the villages promise to help Mossman because he was naive and young and might very well be easy to fool. The fact he was providing them with a great amount of produce was also a good notion to protect, him.
"My compliments on how you showed off several attractive products to create an advantage." The man began showing they did in fact have a deal. "You are a shining example of the trader spirit." The man said as the group was happy to see this.
"You don't say." Naofumi said as he stood up ready to depart now.
"Oh yes and if you are not busy at the moment can you assist me with a little job I have." The merchant said as he looked to the group.
"A job?" Hajime asked as she Vassal Heroin tilted her head curious as to what it was.
"There's a hot spring town not too far away from here I need you to deliver some goods to an inn there." The merchant said and thus it seems their work was never done.
(Scene Break Hot Springs Town)
The sky began to change color signaling that night was almost upon them. Naofumi currently stood in front of one of the Inns waitresses while the rest of the Shield party was working on helping to bring the goods in. "Thank you, the order is complete it was very kind, of you all to bring it to the inn." The lady said smiling to the two parties. "Have a lovely day." She said and thus she began to get to work on bringing in the delivered items Shiro and friends brought in.
"I can't believe there are hot spring towns in this crazy ass world also." Yumi called out as she looked around the place while resting her feet in the hot water as did Hajime.
"Hey, master this water is great! Can I go to this hot spring thing too, can I?" Filo asked as she looked to the group.
"Hmm do you all think we should go?" Naofumi asked as he looked to his party to which Ayato shrugged.
"Meh I'm ok with it." Akane said as Catra was resting her own feet in the water.
"I must confess, it's quiet relaxing." Yuki said as she rested her feet in the water.
"We've been doing a lot of traveling lately so a moment of rest like this would be most welcomed." Hajime said as she wanted a bit of time to rest and relax before heading back on the road.
"Well, I'm not really that interested actually but if you all want to go, I'd be happy to accompany you." Raphtalia lied as her tail was wagging showing she really wanted to go to the Hot Spring Inn.
"Well, that settles it we're spending the night here." Naofumi said and thus everyone was happy about this.
"AH finally a hot bath!" Akane cheered as she missed running water.
(Scene Break Hot Springs Girls Side)
Raphtalia, Yuki, Yumi, Hajime, Sakura, Filo, Akane, and Catra were all in one of the many hot spring pools after splitting up between guys and girls. At the moment, Daito, Naofumi, Ayato, and Orko were on the other side relaxing as well.
"Lady Akane, I swear Filo has been awfully clingy to Naofumi lately." Raphtalia said as she aired her grievances.
"I understand and honestly you need to worry much." Akane said as she leaned against the wall while in the water letting the hot water soak her body. "As much as Filo is clingy Naofumi isn't the type to go for little girls." Akane said as nearby Sakura and Filo were slashing each other while Yuki was giving off major Tsunadere vibes.
"Still, I want to be clingy a bit also." Raphtalia sighed as she sat with Akane relaxing in the hot spring water.
"Wow this water is so nice!" Sakura called out as she swam about doing a bit of a doggy paddle on her end.
"I know." Filo agreed as she was doing the same as Sakura.
"Would you too stop being foolish!" Yuki called out as the eldest she felt it her responsibility to reign in her younger sisters.
"Hey, you three play nice." Akane scolded as she looked to the three Filolial Queens.
Just then Raphtalia noticed the statue in their pool that depicted a man holding a boar and being held close by a woman, Walking over to it she noticed the plaque on it and began to read it to herself.
"The origin and benefits of this hot spring." Raphtalia began as she read the inscription. "What does a silver boar have to do with a hot spring? That's interesting." Raphtalia asked as she looked at the image. "It's, affects are... success in love?!" Raphtalia asked shocked to read this. "The couple that enters this hot spring together will be united eternally?!" Raphtalia cried out and thus the images began to flow.
"Wait say what?!" Hajime called out as she and Yumi came in upon hearing those words.
"Pickle-Pickle!" Yumi added randomly as she looked to the plaque.
"That means if I can get Master Naofumi to bath together with me in this hot spring." Raphtalia began as the images began to flow.
"Ayato... me... hot spring." Hajime gasped as her face went beet red.
"That's right Daito you and me and a bit of skin-on-skin contact." Yumi said with a perverted grin on her face of all the things she would get up to with Daito.
"Idiots." Akane said as she rested in the pool as Catra heard this.
"Yeah, who'd want to be in that situation anyway?" Catra said as the two girls grinned to each other and rolled their eyes. But as Akane looked away she had a dark glare over what they were thinking. 'Hajime, I love you like a sister, but I won't just let anyone have Ayato.' Akane thought making it clear that she would protect her brother's purity.
Meanwhile Catra was doing the same but for a completely different reason. 'Dammit all those girls have those gushy mushy crap and I'm stuck here doomed to be single for life.' Catra mentally moaned her despair at being an eternal virgin.
(Later at the Inn)
Raphtalia was currently walking down the hall dressed in a Kimono while carrying two bottles of a drink of some sort. As she walked about Yumi came out with her own Kimono as she yawned a bit with Sakura close behind her. "Oh, hey Raphtalia what's with the drinks?" Yumi asked as Raphtalia jumped in surprise to this.
"Huh oh nothing." She said and thus Yumi shrugged a bit with her helmet on. "By the way why do you always wear a helmet?" Raphtalia asked as that had been bothering her for some time and also to try and distract Yumi.
"Meh it protects my head." Yumi said as she looked to the Demi-human. "By the way if you're looking for Naofumi he's brushing Filo's hair with the others." Yumi said pointing her thumb to the room as a group of girls began to pass by.
(In the Room)
Naofumi was currently brushing Filo's hair while Kouh was currently out cold. Nearby Akane and Hajime were working on Catra and Yuki's hair. Catra of course was putting up a fight as her hair was long and knotty still. "Hey easy!" Catra snapped as Akane was trying to get another knot out.
"Trying but seriously how do you get so many knots?" Akane demanded as she tried her hardest to tame Catra's hair.
"Fuck you that's how!" Catra snapped as she then tried to make a run for it. "Screw this I'm keeping it as GAUG!" Catra was cut off as Akane dragged the Demi-human back in.
"Oh no you don't I am not letting you make this hair problem any worse!" Akane called out as she dragged Catra back in.
"Geez." Daito sighed as he watched the two go at it.
"How unsightly." Yuki voiced as she gave the pair a glare over the scene they were causing.
Catra cried out as Akane took out another knot from the cat girl. "I just had to be stuck with the Maine coon of Demi-humans." Akane whined as this happened.
"Catra is so funny!" Filo laughed until her gaze went over to Raphtalia as did Naofumi.
"Oh, Raphtalia what's up?" Naofumi asked and thus Raphtalia sighed to this.
"Nothing." Raphtalia said as she then popped the drink open and proceeded to down it.
"Oh, Raphtalia can I have some?" Filo asked as she looked to Raphtalia only for her to drink the second bottle.
"What has her in a twist?" Ayato asked as he looked to Raphtalia with confusion in his voice.
(Scene Break that Night)
The girls had their own room while the guys also had their own room. It was cheaper that way but for the guys it was awkward deciding who gets what bed. The girls not so much as we can see the Filolials all piled on the one bed with Yumi. On the other bed Raphtalia, Akane, Hajime, and Catra had claimed the bed with Catra curled up asleep at the foot of the bed. Meanwhile Yumi was snoring while snuggling to a pillow deep asleep while drool pooled out from her mouth.
The only two girls up were Raphtalia and Hajime with Raphtalia starting up at the ceiling and Hajime starting off to the wall on the far end of the bad.
"Ok think Hajime, you're a great and powerful sorceress, and a genius in mythology.' Hajime thought to herself needing a plan to get Ayato's attention.
'This could be my only chance to get Naofumi.' Raphtalia thought to herself as she was also scheming a plan of her own. 'If I don't do something soon then Filo will steal Master Naofumi and then I may very well be the only one without a significant other... next to lady Akane and Catra.'
Raphtalia thought knowing of the two girls' preferences. Filo's hand then landed on Raphtalia's face causing Raphtalia to move said hand. It was then followed by Catra tail waving in her face causing Raphtalia to sneeze a bit before pushing the tail away as she stood up from the bed
Hajime didn't notice Raphtalia as she was deep within her own thoughts as she thinks 'What could be the best way to a guy's heart? Cooking maybe, but I'm not that skilled in that area, maybe a gift? That's it! A guy would love a gift from a girl he closed with and considering we had a few moments together ourselves… it could be perfect I just need to figure out… wait I remember something.'
'If I want to turn this around once and for all.' The Demi-Human thought to herself scheming on how to get Naofumi's attention while sighing a bit. "Mom always used to say that giving a gift is the best way to get your beloveds attention.' Raphtalia thought to herself as a plan began to form in her head. 'Mom fell in love with dad after he gave her a gift too.' Raphtalia thought as she began to form a plan.
'I got it; I know just the gift to get him.' Hajime thought to herself and thus she had a plan.
(Later that night Raphtalia)
Raphtalia had gotten up from the bed without disturbing anyone as she picked up her clothing and try to make out of the room without disturbing anyway, or at least make it seem she had to uses the bathroom but instead she went outside. Over with Hajime stood up as well as she called upon her staff and preparing a spell silently.
(outside on the roads)
While outside as Raphtalia was looking to the road into the wilds as she smiled in anticipation as she smiled and said, "Time to find a Gocoto."
At that moment, a flash of light came forth, blinding Raphtalia for a moment as she closed her eyes to block the light before it died down, after that as she opened up and to her surprise to see Hajime in her normal adventurer gear as she said, "Hajime!"
"Raphtalia?!" Hajime said, surprise to see the raccoon girl outside and fully dress as well as they both said at the same time, "What are you doing out here?"
"You first," Hajime said as she waved her hand towards the demi-human girl as she was letting Raphtalia to talk first, as she said to the magic user, "No-no that fine. You go first."
"Okay then I'm looking for something and I heard it was being gather by a creature," Hajime said as she didn't want to go into full detail of what she heard as Raphtalia soon gotten the idea as she said, "You're looking for the Latium as well?"
"Oh, you know about that?" Hajime said as she was surprised Raphtalia knows about that as well, then it hit her as she heard what Raphtalia just said as she says to the raccoon girl, "You're looking for the crystal as well?"
"Yeah but, how do you know about it?" Raphtalia ask with Hajime soon said, "Well…"
(Flashback)
In the hallway that Raphtalia was in as she was bringing milk for her and Naofumi to drink together, unaware that Hajime was just around the corner of the hall and stop as she hears the two girls talking about something as she listened closely.
"Hey, have you ever heard of Latium?" One of the girls asked as they passed by Raphtalia.
"Oh, you mean that rare crystal found in this area?" The other one asked as she and her friend walked down the hall.
"Everyone says that if you make a love charm out of it, it works amazingly well.' The first one said as the Demi-human and sorceress overheard the subject.
"No really?!" the other girl asked, with Hajime turn back around and headed back to the room with this info, as she believed in charms, luck, and magic, and being in this world that has real magic in it, she believed those words very much.
(End Flashback)
"And I did some research and found it that a bird creature called Gocoto that collects these crystals, and I hope get a piece for myself to make something for Ayato," Hajime said as Raphtalia, "But that also my idea of what I want to do for Master Naofumi!"
"Calm- clam down! You don't want to wake up the entire town, do you? Let's make a deal Raphtalia, as I'm sure there could be enough Latium for both of us if this bird does collect it, so let us find the Gocoto's nest together, and get the Latium and split it between us so that way we won't be fighting over it, and you could make whatever gift you had in mind for Naofumi while I do the same for Ayato… deal?" Hajime said as she hoped Raphtalia will see reason as they are both doing this for the person they love as Raphtalia knew Hajime was doing it for Ayato, so she didn't have to worry about her going for Naofumi as she said to her, "Deal."
Mentally though both girls had their own schemes in the works. 'Sucker.' Both Hajime and Raphtalia thought as they plan to get the Lateum for themselves to give to their respected other.
"Go! Go Filo!" Came the voice of Yumi causing the two girls to perk up.
"What?" Hajime asked and in turn the two went over a ledge and saw Yumi riding on Filo.
"The Omelets await!" Yumi called out causing the two girls to get confused.
"Omelets?" Hajime asked as she found this curious as to why Yumi was doing this. "Either Yumi has recruited Filo in hunting for eggs or the two of them are hunting for a Gocoto." Hajime said and thus the two jumped down and proceeded to give chase to her.
"We should probably beat them to it." Raphtalia said and in turn the two began to give chase to the girls.
Once Raphtalia and Hajime were gone Catra and Akane popped out with Akane grinning to this. "Why is doing something so wrong so fun?" Catra asked with a grin on her face.
"Because we're helping the dunderheaded boys of the group get their heads screwed on straight." Akane said as she looked forward to the sort of chaos that was about to take place. "And getting a bit of a show out of it." Akane said with a smirk on her face recalling what she did to get these girls to start moving.
(Flashback)
Akane was seen with a grin and sunglasses as she passed a sack of coins to the girls to walk by Raphtalia and Akane to talk about the Lateum. As Akane did this the girls took the coins and were looking at it in shock before agreeing to this seeing the American Japanese girl was playing matchmaker.
(End Flashback)
"Man, some guys can be so dense." Akane said as Catra looked at Akane for a bit.
"Yeah dense." Catra grumbled a bit which was left ignored by Akane.
(Back with Raphtalia and Hajime)
The two arrived on the road and in turn saw their targets had vanished. "Where did they go?" Hajime asked looking for the missing girls.
"They were here a minute ago." Raphtalia said only for Hajime to turn around and was met face to face with Yumi.
"Hey." Yumi said and thus Hajime cried out in shock and fell back.
"How did you." Hajime began to ask after she had regained her composure.
"I have my ways, now why were you following us?" Yumi asked as with a grin on her face.
"Better question what are you two doing out here?" Raphtalia asked as Yumi smirked to this.
"We're hunting for Gocoto's because we're gonna make Omelets with their eggs!" Yumi said and thus Filo nodded to this.
"Yeap!" Filo said and thus the two girls sighed in relief.
"Yeah no one can resist my world-famous Omelets not even a certain builder of our group." Yumi said and thus Filo pouted.
"But I want to give it to master so he can become my mate for life." Filo said only to get a bonk on the head curtesy of Yumi.
"Kid he's too old for you." Yumi said reminding Filo she was barely even a month old. "Maybe when your eighteen." Yumi added as this got Raphtalia's eye to twitch feeling a jab there while Hajime nodded to this.
But then something occurred to Raphtalia that made her worried. "Wait but what if there's not enough of either to go around?" Raphtalia asked and thus a silence blew in for the group. Everyone got a nervous look on their faces as it was followed by a competitive aura.
"EVERY MASTER FOR HERSELF!" Yumi called out as she pushed Filo out of the way and bashed through Hajime and Raphtalia. Raphtalia, Hajime, and Filo all glared at Yumi and in turn proceeded to give chase but differently.
"BY THE POWER OF GREYSKULL!" The three girls called out so they can give chase.
(With Yumi)
"HAH GOODLUCK ASSHOLES YOU'VE NEVER CATCH UP TO ME!" Yumi called out only for a flash of Greyskull power to strike down behind her. Stopping she then saw Hajime, Raphtalia, and Filo giving chase in their Master forms. "Oh shit." Yumi cursed and in turn she was bashed out of the way by the three.
Hajime, and Filo were flying through the air as they ran to try and locate the Gocoto first. Raphtalia was rising on a pair of hovering blades to try and get to the Gocoto first. As they ran for it Yumi glared at them before roaring to this before transforming herself. "BY THE POWER OF GREYSKULL!" Yumi called out begore becoming Ram Ma'am once more.
Meanwhile with the girls they all got to the ledge which Raphtalia noticed first. "Wait stop!" Raphtalia called out and thus one by one she, Hajime, and Filo pulled the brakes and just stopped short of the cliff. "That was close." Raphtalia said as she looked over the edge.
"Wait why did we stop? Filo and I can fly." Hajime said until a new voice was heard.
"That omelet is mine!" Yumi called out and crashed into the girls causing all four of them to fall over the edge. Acting fast Filo caught Yumi while Hajime caught Raphtalia. But due to the momentum they ended up crashing on the ground, good news the ground was soft.
"That hurt." Hajime said as she laid on her back before getting back up.
"Good thing this thing cushioned our fall, or we'd have caused even more damage." Raphtalia said as Yumi smiled to this.
"Yeap thank small miracles." Yumi said slapping the thing that broke their fall. But then it snorted and thus they saw tusks on it that lead up to a red eye filled with rage. "I just had to jinx it." Yumi said and the next thing they knew it was time to run again.
(Later)
"Run! Run for your life!" Yumi called out as the four girls were screaming and running away from the boar chasing them down. As they ran, they soon came upon a ledge which made them all panic.
"What do we do now?" Raphtalia asked and thus the girls worked fast.
"Filo grab Yumi!" Sorceress said to Stratos Beta and in turn they go to it. Hajime grabbed Raphtalia and Filo grabbed Yumi before the two fliers flew the two girls over the busted road. Once they landed Yumi laughed as she saw they made it.
"We made it, thank god." Hajime said with a smile on her face.
"Thank goodness." Raphtalia said as Yumi smiled and stood up.
"Can't catch us now porky!" Yumi taunted as she then shook her rear to further taunt the Boar who snorted in rage.
"Come on stop antagonizing it." Raphtalia said and in turn they departed to continue their hunt.
(Scene Break Later)
With the sun barely peeking over the mountain as an orange glow filled the land, as the girls soon found the Gocoto nest with the Lateum just peeking out from under the giant bird as it shined in the dawn light, with Raphtalia soon said, "I guess that's a Gocoto."
"Eggs, eggs, yummy eggs!" Filo said very quiet but very excited as they found the bird with Hajime soon said, "with a bird that big, then no doubt there should be plenty for everyone to get what they want."
"When you put it that way, fighting over of trying to get here first seem kind of silly now," Yumi said as all the girls nodded as they slowly approach the giant bird by crawling over to it, as Raphtalia reach out, the bird either sense her present or something else as the Gocoto started to panic as Raphtalia said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I just need that crystal you're sitting on."
"Ah, Raphtalia, I don't think it's you she's reacting too," Hajime said as at that moment a loud snort was heard as the girls turn to see the Silverback boar was behind them somehow as Yumi said, "How the heck did he find us?!"
Before anyone could say anything the boar charge at the group knocking them away while hitting he giant bird's nest destroying it along with the eggs and scared off the Gocoto bird which had the crystal in his talon and fling it off in the distant out of reach as all the girls panic to this as Raphtalia cry out see the crystal out of reach with Hajime said, "No the Lateum!"
"The eggs! Look what happen to our eggs!" Filo said while crying about with Yumi was just shocked and crying to the wasted eggs she saw before her.
The boar was about to do another charge, but suddenly it sensed something dangerous, as a dark aura surround the four girls, as they turn towards the boar with Filo said, "Yumi."
"Hajime," Raphtalia said as both girls soon answer at the same time as they said, "We know." With that the board step back away from the girls, as Raphtalia drew her sword, Filo summoned forth some wind, Hajime raise her staff, and Yumi got into a tackling position.
In the distant the boar is heard screaming for its life as there was a gust of wind follow up by sword slashes, a turbo attack, and lastly the Wings of Zoar were seen being shot into the air before coming back around and striking the boar as it let out one last scream.
(back at the inn)
With all the boys, the rest of the Filolial flock, and Cringer were sleeping, with Ayato suddenly sat up for a moment as he thought he heard something, but everything was quiet, he then shrugged and lay back down.
(With the girls)
All the girls were breathing heavily as they just took their anger and frustration on the boar that ruin their chance to get the crystal and eggs.
Nearby in the bushes as Catra and Akane watch how everything played out as Catra was a bit fearful of what she saw as she said, "What just happen?"
"The wrath of women should not be underestimated, that all I can say, but overall It was fun to watch, too bad they didn't get a crystal, or the eggs they wanted, those would have been nice to have," Akane said in a strange way as Catra look over at her and said, "But didn't you already gotten some of those things?"
"Whatever do you mean?" Akane said as to the side of her was a bad that had a few Lateum crystals and a couple of eggs, as it seemed she was already and grab the few things the girls were after beforehand, as she grabbed the bag and said, "Now let's get going before they see us."
(scene break)
Hajime, Yumi, Raphtalia, and Filo return to the village with a disappointed look on their faces as they didn't get what they wanted, but at least they gotten a boar out of it as Raphtalia soon said, "After all that we could not find any more Gocoto nest, but do you think the guys would like this thing instead of the crystal and the eggs?"
"Hey you guys!" A new voice called and thus the Avenger Girls all looked and saw a pair of men walking up to them. "That wouldn't happen to be a Silver Razer Back you captured?" The man asked looking to the girls as his friend points out as he said, "Like that thing on the fountain."
"Yes, it is why do you ask?" Yumi said with an annoyed tone in her voice as the first guy said as eh bow down to the girls, "Would you give it to us?"
"You see Silver Razer Backs are very valuable we use them as offerings in our town rituals." The first man said causing the lady masters to listen in on them.
"Please! We'll give you really good money if you do!" He begged as the girls all had an idea as Raphtalia soon said, "Money hu?"
"How much are we talking about here?" Yumi said as she sounded a bit happy because now, they are getting something out of this whole thing.
(Later)
The girls gotten back to the guys as they presented the with gifts as Raphtalia and Filo gotten Naofumi a jeweler hammer, Yumi got Daito a bag with small set of tools within them and seem like a used set too, and Hajime gotten Ayato a necklace of sort with the fang or claw on it as Naofumi said, "All this for us?"
"Yep, Filo and I pick that out just for you," Raphtalia said as she and Filo were the one giving him the hammer, with Daito soon said, "Thank Yumi, I didn't have a whole like of tools like these, they would help me a lot."
"I figure you would, doing a whole lot of things and always say you didn't have the right tools or something," Yumi said saying it not a problem with Hajime looking a bit nervous as she sees Ayato looking at his necklace, as she couldn't figure out what to get him, as for the other guys, it was easy to figure out, but Ayato wasn't like that as she said to him, "So ah Ayato… how you like your gift?"
"Its… cool," Ayato said as he smiled to it with Hajime let out a breath of relief as she soon said, "Glad you think so, it's supposed to be a fang of a tiger beast, I just saw it and think you may like it."
"Yeah, I do and it's pretty cool to know what it is," Ayato said as he put it on as he looked over to Cringer as he said, "Hey cringer, look we're tiger buddies now."
Cringer give a soft roar as it sound, he likes it too as Hajime smile to this as she went on saying, "I also put a small enchantment on it, sense it wasn't a gemstone it can hold much, but it can help support your strength, just a little bit."
"That's amazing." Ayato said and thus Naofumi nodded.
"Man, first Akane and Catra bring some materials and make breakfast and now this." Naofumi said causing the girls to all pause to this.
"Wait what?!" Hajime, Raphtalia, Yumi, and Filo all asked.
(The dining area)
There were plates of eggs all set up with Akane wearing a chef hat and Catra wearing a big hair net. Nearby Yuki, Sakura, and Koh were all messing with the Latium as they were making improve jewelry with them. Inside the boys had sat down and were eating the food while the girls all stood there wide eyed in shock over what they saw.
Hajime's eye was twitching, Yumi was slack jawed, Raphtalia looked annoyed, and Filo just stood there pouting. Akane grinned to the four girls as she had a plate of the eggs in her hands. "Words of wisdom, the next time you girls want to get my brother or cousin... work harder." Akane said with a smug tone as she smirked to them. "After all I won't hand them over to just anyone." She added and thus with the amount of Latium the pair brought in they set the entire thing up.
"Have to admit last night's show was spectacular." Catra said with a smirk as she elbowed Akane playfully.
"Sometimes you got to make your own entertainment." Akane said and in turn the girls lost their cool. Raphtalia roared and went after Catra with Akane doing the same to Akane. The two girls yelled in shock as a fight broke out between them. The last thing heard was everyone trying to stop Raphtalia and Hajime from destroying Catra and Akane. The morning had gone off with a bang for the group.
(Meanwhile on Snake Mountain)
Skeletor stood in a chamber of some kind as he was feeding Havok directly into the seed Shadow Weaver acquired. As the seed was being given the wild dark power. The seed meanwhile was hovering over a plot of soil with Evil-Lynn and Shadow Weaver nearby speaking dark incantations. Eventually the Havoc reached the apex and thus the seed shot into the soil burying itself inside said soil.
"So... now what?" Trap-Jaw asked as he and Rino watched with Rino sitting on a ledge with the Tri-Clips head piece on her lap like a puppy.
"Wait for it." Skeletor responded and in turn the seed sprouted and began to form a Havok infused monster. "There we go, happy birthday Evil Seed, and welcome to the Dark Masters." Skeletor said as Evil Seed looked to his creator.
"Evil Seed... yes I am Evil Seed." Evil Seed said as the newborn had taken a moment to look upon himself. "I am Evil Seed Dark Master of Underwoods." Evil Seed said as he looked upon his creator/father.
"It's all coming together." Skeletor said with a grin on his boney face as his evil plans were all on schedule here.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well, another day another chapter. Glad I got this up in time and hope you all enjoyed reading it. Now then until next we meet be sure to leave a review for me and as I always say, ja-ne.