"What a day, and it's nice to be home. Luckily, I was able to find a place for those two dopes to stay." Mary sighed as she felt like she could finally relax after so long. After the crazy stuff she had to go through lately, it was nice to just relax at home. As she got herself settled in her apartment, she took a look out her window and saw a few people were getting things ready. "So, Amaryllis is holding a festival tomorrow to celebrate the day it was founded. Sounds like it could be a lot of fun." Now that Mary doesn't feel like she has to worry about her past anymore, she felt like she could finally start to enjoy what life has to offer her. With Amaryllis founding festival coming up, it's sure to be a pleasant time, but there was actually something lurking in the shadows.

...

Just outside the town, three suspicious characters were looking over the city. It also seemed like they were up to no good.

"Is everything in place?" One was wearing a black cape and black and white Victorian-like suit with black spikey hair and deep red eyes.

"It should be, Jake, and no one suspects a thing." Another had messy brown hair with him wearing a green sports top and dark brown pants with boots and gloves.

"Rocko is right. This is going to be rocking!" The last one was dressed like a rockstar in leather attire with him also having a skull painted over his face and a blue faux-hawk with him carrying an electric guitar that had an axe blade on it. "I can hardly contain my excitement."

"At least try to Skrull. Keep in mind that once we do this, there's no going back. We can't afford any mistakes." Jake said. These three are clearly up to no good, but there was something else about the three of them. These three each had a guild emblem on them. Jake had a red one on his right hand, Rocko had a green one on his left arm, and Skrull had a black one on the right side of his neck. The thing was that the guild emblem they all had was that of the Phoenix Flame guild. "Serenity, are you ready?"

"You bet I am." All three of them were working for Serenity, and it looked like Serenity was the one calling the shots on this. "My old man had this coming for a long time."

"It's going to be one wild ride." Skrull claimed.

"I'll say. It's time our guild had a change." Rocko said.

"Nice to know I can count on you boys." Serenity said.

"Of course. We are the Tri Flame." Jake said. "We are here to serve you, Serenity. You are the fire that fuels the three of us, and we will gladly do whatever you asked. You matter to us more than the guild."

"I'm glad to hear you say that. Tomorrow, the show really begins." Serenity said. Whatever she's trying to pull, it sounds like it's about to go down during a joyful time. This could be trouble for the whole guild.

...

The Next Day

Everyone was getting ready for the town's annual festival. This festival is to celebrate the day the town was founded, and it was certainly a joyful time for so many. It's when everyone comes together to celebrate their home being created. Of course, the guild is going to take part in the festivities. Velvet was looking around town and was glad to see everything was coming together nicely.

"Amaryllis is certainly a wonderful place to live." Velvet said. "It's times like this that make me glad to live here."

"Velvet! How's it going?! Is your guild going to take part in the parade?"

"Of course. We certainly wouldn't want to miss it." Velvet said.

"Great. I'm hoping to see your daughter in action. It's been a long time since she took part in it." When a fellow citizen said that, it kind of killed Velvet's good mood.

"I wouldn't count on it. Serenity hasn't been interested in this sort of thing since she was a child." Velvet claimed. He just kept on walking, but now he couldn't stop thinking about Serenity. He wishes things could be different, but she just won't allow it unless it's on her terms.

"Daddy! Daddy! Can I have one?! Please?!"

"Sure, Princess. Anything for you." Velvet took notice of a father with his young daughter so happy together. It had him think back to times when he and Serenity were like that.

...

Flashback

"Daddy! Daddy!" Serenity called as she was in a hurry. What Velvet thought was true. Serenity enjoyed the festival when she was just a little girl, and those seemed like happier times back then. "Hurry, Daddy! I don't want to miss anything in the parade!"

"Don't worry, Serenity. We won't." Velvet said.

"Daddy, how come you aren't going to be in the parade this year with the rest of the guild?" Serenity asked.

"Because I promised to spend it with you." Velvet said. "Now, let's go. It's about to pass through." The two of them hurried to the crowd, but Serenity couldn't see a thing because of all the people in the way.

"I can't see!" Serenity complained.

"I've got you." Velvet said. He lifted his little girl up and placed her right on her shoulders. "There. Now you can see. What do you think of the wizards in Phoenix Flame?"

"They're incredible! Daddy, you're going to let me join, right?" Serenity asked.

"Of course, when you start learning some magic and get a little older." Velvet said. The two of them seemed so much happier back then. It seemed like they were real close. What could have changed that?

End of Flashback

...

Velvet wishes things could be like that with his daughter again, but she doesn't make it easy. Her attitude lately hasn't exactly been desirable, but there's only so much he could do. All he can do right now is put those thoughts aside and try to keep his focus on his work until he can figure out what to do about Serenity. That's why he went straight to the guild and made sure everyone got ready for this.

"Listen up, everyone!" Velvet said and got the guild's attention. "For those who don't know, today marks the day Amaryllis was first founded. Ever since the guild was founded, we took part in the festival by hosting our own parade. So, let's make sure to put on a brilliant performance for the townsfolk and anyone else that has come here today to join in the festivities." The whole guild cheered as they all seemed to love that they get to do this.

"A parade? I don't know if I can do that since I'm still rather new." Tsubasa said.

"How do you think Axel and I feel?" Frank said.

"Don't worry about it. It's still a lot of fun." Maru said.

"Yeah. You guys don't have to if you really don't feel comfortable, but it can be a great time." Yukina said. "You don't want to miss out on it."

"So, what would we have to do? Stand on some floats and do some dances or something?" Mary questioned.

"Maybe, or you could use your magic to give off a great performance." Gin said. "Just wait until it starts." It sounds like everyone was getting into it. All except for Phatar.

"This is stupid." Phatar said as it seems like he has no interest in such things.

"Now, we have gained a few new members. This could be your chance to make a good first impression to the townsfolk." Velvet said. "It's a good way to stabilize the relationship between the town and the guild. A good relationship will do some good between both sides, and the town will feel safe and secured having us around."

"There you go again, talking fancy when that's a load." Velvet turned around and was faced with his own daughter.

"Serenity?" Velvet said with him wondering what she's doing, as does everyone else.

"A stable relationship between the town and the guild. Pathetic." Serenity said. "Why should we care what the town thinks of us? Especially when we could crush anyone in the town that challenges us. That's only assuming you have the guts to do so, which you usually don't."

"Serenity, now is not the time for this behavior of yours." Velvet claimed.

"Too bad. You see, I've got something planned, and it's going to go on whether you like it or not." Serenity claimed.

"What are you talking about?" Velvet asked as he didn't like how Serenity put that. The fact that she just stood there and smirked made his bad feeling all the more compelling. "Answer me! What are you planning?!" He reached out to her, but that was when Jake dove down and stood between them. "Jake?!"

"All will be revealed shortly, so I suggest you contain yourself until then." Jake claimed.

"Is that Jake up there?!" Sandy said.

"If he's here, so must Rocko and Skrull." Maru said.

"You got that right!" Everyone looked to the sides and saw Rock and Skrull on either.

"The Tri Flame is back?! They haven't been around for a while." Aster said.

"The Tri Flame? Who are they?" Mary asked.

"Their three of our own that are devoted to Serenity. In fact, all three of them are crushing big time on her." Gin said. "They formed their own little team, and Serenity tends to use them for her benefit. Honestly, no one else in the guild really matters except for her to them."

"You see, I think it's time the guild has a change." Serenity said. "It's time to weed out the weaklings and have only the strong remain. Since you're too soft to do anything about it old man, I've decided to take matters into my own hands."

"What nonsense are you talking about?! Removing the weaker members of our guild?!" Velvet said. "That's completely ludicrous! No one in our guild is getting kicked out simply because they're not strong enough! You don't have the authority to do something like that!"

"Oh, but I thought of a fun way to do just that." Serenity said.

"Would it not be interesting to know who the top dogs of the guild are?" Skrull said.

"Think of it like a game or a competition, of course we're willing to yield to the whole thing." Rocko said. "All you would have to do is defeat us to do that."

"What if we don't want to play your little game?" Mary questioned as she walked right up to him.

"I was hoping you might ask." Rocko said as he dived down and made sure to get in her face.

"Mary, don't look in his eyes!" Maru called, but it was too late. Mary looked right into Rocko's eyes and suddenly felt stiff. In a mere flash, Mary was turned to stone.

"Mary!" Axel called.

"What the hell did he do to her?!" Frank called.

"They don't call him Rocko for nothing." Aster said. "Rocko's specialty is earth magic, and other stone-based magic. One magic is a type of eye magic that allows him to turn others into stone just by looking at him."

"And you might be interested to know that she isn't the only one." Rocko said.

"What are you saying?! Have you turned innocent people into stone statues?!" Velvet said. "Serenity, what is the meaning of this?!"

"It's just as I said. It's time the guild has some changes." Serenity claimed. "Now that we understand each other, the only way to save those who might have been turned to stone is to compete...unless you want me to barbeque them."

"You wouldn't!" Velvet said.

"We would, but we'll make this fair." Skrull claimed. "If you guys can defeat us, the whole thing is called off."

"But to carry this threat, we need a time limit. It's nine right now." Jake claimed. "Everyone will have six hours. That's more than enough time."

"This is nuts! You're seriously going through with this?!" Maru said.

"We are. So, if there are any big heroes in the guild, bow would be the time to step up." Serenity claimed. "The time starts now!" When she said that, she unleashed a bright flame that blinded everyone for a moment. When it cleared away, the Tri Flame and Serenity were gone.

"Mary!" Axel called as he and Frank rushed to her, but there wasn't really anything they could do to help her. "What do we do?! How do we help her?!"

"I don't understand what's happening. I thought Phoenix Flame was more unified than this." Tsubasa said.

"We are, but Serenity is doing this on her own accord." Yukina said. "She always had issues, but she's really done it now."

"I can't believe this. What's Serenity trying to pull with all of this?" Gin said.

"She's really done it now." Aster said. "Her sense of superiority has gone too far, and her sense of pride for the guild has really come into question. What I can't really believe is the fact that the Tri Flame would go along with this. I understand all three of them are devoted to Serenity, but this is overdoing it." Everyone was astonished by what happened and is wondering what they should do. As for Velvet, he isn't going stand for this. He isn't going to put up with his daughter's insubordination anymore.

"What are you all doing just standing here?!" Velvet called to the guild. "I want everyone to find the four of them! Bring them to me at once! These kinds of actions are inexcusable! Go!" Most of guild followed his orders and hurried out the guild. "Serenity! I am not putting up with this anymore!" Velvet thought it was time he disciplined his daughter. He hurried out to try and do his part to stop his own daughter, but something happened. Just as he got to the doorway, he felt like he hit a wall. Maru and the rest of his team were still around and saw what happened.

"Master, what's wrong?" Aster asked.

"I don't know. It felt like I hit a wall." Velvet said. He raised his hand to the doorway, but it felt like he was touching an invisible wall. "What is this?"

"What's what?" Yukina said as she was able to get through quite easily. "I don't feel anything."

"Hey! What's all that writing?!" Sandy said as he noticed it. All of them looked up and saw runes in the air.

"An enchantment on the guild?!" Velvet said. "It says that the Master is prohibited from leaving the guild for the duration of this competition."

"That's odd. I don't remember Serenity or any of the Tri Flame being able to use this kind of magic before." Gin said.

"This clearly wasn't planned overnight." Velvet said. "They must have had this planned for quite some time. They must of somehow learned this when no one knew about it. They made it so I can't intervene." That just made him even more frustrated. "Serenity... What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Isn't there some way to get you out? Knowing Serenity, we might have to use force to stop her. We need you to deal with her." Gin said.

"The only way to break the enchantment is to find the one who put it up, but that could be any of them." Aster said. "Master, we will handle this before Serenity can do any more harm. You shouldn't worry."

"That's true. Aster is an S-class wizard like Serenity. He could take her." Sandy said, but Aster had his doubts.

"I don't know about that, but I will certainly give it my best shot." Aster said. Velvet hated that he had to stay trapped like this, but he had no choice.

"Very well. I'll leave it to you." Velvet said. With that, Gin and Aster hurried off, but Maru wasn't going anywhere.

"Wait. Maru, aren't you coming?" Yukina asked.

"Yeah. Let's get out there." Sandy said.

"No. I'm not going." Maru said with all of them surprised that he would say that. "Serenity and the Tri Flame are one of us. They're fellow members of our guild. I won't fight them." It's surprising to hear that Maru won't join in this, but understandable. However, without Maru, do they have a chance?

...

Gin

Every member of the guild spread through all of Amaryllis. They had to find Serenity and the Tri Flame before they do something they're going to regret. Gin made his way through the town to try and find them. As he was searching for them, he searched around for something else. He took a look in a couple homes and saw that they were true to their word.

"Unreal. They weren't bluffing." Gin said as he looked into a window and saw an innocent random person made of stone. "They really have turned other people to stone. What is Serenity thinking? What could she possibly gain by doing all of this?"

"Hey, Gin! Did you find anything?!" Two other members of the guild came running to him in hopes of getting answers, but that was when something strange happened. Another enchantment appeared and trapped the other two members in.

"What's going on?!"

"Another enchantment?" Gin questioned. He took a look to see if he could learn why this one was there of all places. "Only the winner of this fight is allowed to leave. What?! Is this Enchantment meant to force them to fight each other?!" That was when something clicked. "That's it! That's what Serenity meant! She's going to force guild members to fight each other to find those who should stay in the guild and who should be removed!"

...

Serenity

As all of this was going on, Serenity took refuge in the model of Mercurius Amaryllis is known for. There was plenty of space for her to take refuge in there while everyone else is forced to fight. She was also keeping track of everything that was going on.

"Excellent. It's already begun." Serenity said. "Learning these enchantments wasn't easy. That's why I had all three of those boys learn it so that they would be set over the whole town. This will help weed out the weaklings. So, what are you going to do now, old man? Your guild will destroy itself, and in it's place will be how I think the guild should be." Serenity really thought this out. If things keep going like this, the guild could be destroyed.

...

The Guild

"Look at that!" Sandy said. Maru, Velvet, and Sandy all remained at the guild and could see something like a system where it displayed pairings. "Am I reading this wrong? It looks like everyone is being paired up in matches."

"No. It's all happening right now." Velvet said. "Serenity is forcing everyone to fight each other somehow."

"Why are they all fighting to begin with?" Maru questioned.

"Serenity wanted to remove those she thought was weak." Velvet said. "They're either fighting because they have no choice, trying to save the hostages, or maybe even out of fear of being kicked out of the guild. Serenity, how could you stoop this low?"

"This doesn't look good at all! Maru, you got to get out there and do something! You're a strong fighter yourself!" Sandy said. "You might be able to take on Serenity!"

"I'm not going to do that. I won't fight a member of our guild." Maru said with him trying to stay firm on that, but he doesn't like this either. If Maru won't fight, who can stop Serenity? What is going to happen to the guild from here?