Ryko, Talm and Kara awoke relatively early that morning to do their morning exercises. Each wanted to keep in shape for the upcoming semi-tournament. They sweat hard and washed off before getting ready for the huge town meeting in Meribia later that morning.
Lemina, on the other hand, took her time to get ready. Thundra woke her up with a small song and she grumbled all the time while she dressed and ate.
Meanwhile, the upper floor of Lunn's dojo was being set up for the upcoming council. The master himself watched as booths were created and chairs were placed throughout the room. A legion of guards was dispersed here and there, watching all the exits just in case a dispute erupted.
It was going to be a long day...
In the sewers underneath Meribia, several voices were heard.
"See! I told you the mistress' blade could alter these creatures into forms like those on the Blue Star," a hooded figure in a gray and white robe boasted.
"Yeah, yeah... is the other thing ready as well?" asked an assassin with a few dazed Fatal Hoppers and Mutant Turtles at his side.
The hooded man looked into the stinky waters behind him.
"Absolutely. Let's get started."
In the next couple of hours, representatives from all the towns of Lunar, as well as several selected guests such as Ramus and his entourage of female 'helpers', poured into the dojo.
The three main boxes were held by the major towns of the government, namely Azado, Meribia and Vane (and occasionally one of the other larger cities). Lunn stood unmoving with several of his assistants in his booth. Lemina, looking extremely bored and drumming her fingers on the counter in front of her, sat with her smug-faced magician entourage as Vane's representatives. Thundra was on a small perch on her side, occasionally emitted a pleasant note or watching the people enter. The Azado box remained empty though.
The young trio from Horam was in one of the corner sets of seats.
Talm yawned, "See anyone you know?"
Ryko replied, "Just that girl from Vane." The martial artist waved back as the Junior Premier noticed them and waved as well.
"Isn't it exciting? Think of all the massive decisions that were made right in this room. Ain't it cool to think we might partake in one?" Kara spoke in a somewhat bubbly tone.
"Ohhhh sure... the only thing you're excited about is the number of possible 'hunks' you've seen walk through the door already," Talm said dryly.
Ryko snickered.
"Hey!"
Before Kara could retort, a brief fanfare was heard in the large chamber. A number of people stood up to see who was entering.
The High Priest of Azado walked in with a crescent shaped staff. Following him was a large group of priests of Althena, all looking identical in their robes. Four of them in front of the procession bore the Goddess Crest before them.
The Azado representatives settled in one of the three main boxes.
Lemina looked at the crest before them and remembered that Leo had presented that special item to the priests of Azado. With Pentagulia destroyed, Azado had become the new center of religious activity for Althena's followers. It only made sense that the holiest city on Lunar should bear the crest of the goddess herself.
The music died down and everyone took a seat. A pair of latecomers walked in and took their seats near the Vane booth. It was the man dressed in a blue magician's outfit and the black tunic-wearing girl that Lemina had seen the day before. They were not announced upon entry.
Lemina and Thundra stared at them as the welcoming announcements were read by one of Lunn's assistants. The black-haired woman looked back at them and seemed to recognize the Junior Premier. She winked and then turned back to watch the speaker. Lemina didn't understand the wink.
Thundra, however, was no longer watching the woman. The thunder raven was glaring at something in the Azado booth... something that felt familiar...
The major issue of the meeting was, of course, the recent rise in monster attacks and the serious threat of attacks on towns.
"Someone must be directing the beasts if they are gallant enough to strike at a city," a man from Takkar spoke.
"That may be true... but who could be responsible? Beings like Zophar and Ghaleon no longer exist on Lunar," an old man from Neo-Vane replied.
A priestess of the temple at Larpa said, "We must have faith in Althena. Her guidance with help us protect ourselves from these menaces."
"But how do we protect ourselves if they have the guts to directly attack our cities without warning... we'll have no sanctuaries if this continues!" one of the Meribian reps responded.
This started a general murmuring and a little debating.
The High Priest tapped his cane against the floor... hard.
Lunn spoke loudly.
"Quiet all. Your excellency..."
Everyone fell silent.
The old man stood up and stated in a tired voice, "Let us hear the nature of the attacks from those settlements that have already suffered."
Master Lunn nodded. "Representatives of Raculi."
Lemina was slightly dismayed to see a few humans and beast-men stand rather than Ronfar or Mauri.
The head speaker of the town announced, "We have not undergone a direct attack yet, but the Serak Palace was invaded yesterday by creatures who killed many of our priests. Fortunately, we received word this morning that the invaders were removed by our village guards and soldiers. The monsters were supposedly 'digging' for something there. Nothing was taken before the threat was extinguished."
A little murmuring followed.
"Digging you say? Does anyone know of anything hidden underneath Serak?" the High Priest quested.
The Raculi members conversed a second and shook their heads. The High Priest nodded.
"Nota," Lunn announced.
Lemina was thinking about just what could be 'buried' at Serak. About the only thing she knew of in the area of Raculi that was important could be the Red Dragon Crest that Ronfar had once.
The speakers from Nota had a short report about a siege from both sides of the city. Flytrappers, Dung Beetles and Albino Baboons all struck about a week ago. They suffered both casualties and damage done to the city itself.
"Dalton."
A weary old man stepped forward.
"Our community was assaulted by a goblin horde of about fifty of the horrible beasts yesterday. We lost a few people and heavy ruin to some of our buildings before Lord Leo and a traveler beat them off and chased them into the Forest of Illusion."
More murmuring was heard.
In the Horam seats, some whispering occurred.
"Wow! I know Lord Leo is pretty strong, but to take down fifty goblins alone is amazing!" Kara remarked.
Talm responded, "Remember, he did have help... though I wonder how much help a single traveler could do. By the way, who's speaking for us?"
Kara pointed immediately at Ryko.
"Eh? Why me?"
Talm agreed. "You were the one who heard it all originally... and you've got that sword still."
"Lastly, Horam representatives report," Master Lunn announced.
The trio rose shakily. Ryko cleared her throat and spoke.
"Uh, yes. Our town was attacked a few days ago by hordes of monsters not native to our area. There were a great deal of injuries and physical damage to Horam."
She paused for a moment... until Talm elbowed her in the side.
Ryko glared and continued.
"We have reason to believe they were searching for something at or near our home as well."
A little whispering interrupted her. Talm nudged her again.
"Quiet please," the High Priest spoke. "Yes, young one, please continue."
Ryko nodded and relaxed a bit. Speaking in front of everyone wasn't nerve wracking enough, but having to be prodded along by Talm was getting annoying. Kara gave her friend a little help by delivering a small, unnoticeable kick to the ninja's shin.
"I was outside of the town when the attack started. I was looking for a missing friend of mine when I happened upon a large empty crater. My friend's sword was beside it... but I soon was caught by one of several groups of 'search parties' that were outside Horam. They mentioned something about looking for a special sword, which they mistook for the blade of my friend," the young girl presented Jan's sword. An attendant took and showed it to Lunn, the High Priest, and Lemina for their perusal.
Lemina could find nothing special about it. The blade contained no internal magic. It looked like just an old sword. As she handed it back to the attendant, the Junior Premier noticed the gaze of Thundra. The bird was still glancing at the figures in the High Priest's box. Lemina herself started to scan over their faces.
Ryko was given Jan’s sword back.
She finished, "I was able to get back to town, but I know nothing else of what was the cause of the crater or what sword they were looking for exactly."
With that, the trio sat back down. Kara patted Ryko on the back. Talm just rubbed his ankle.
It appeared heavy discussions were now taking place. The High Priest spoke with Lunn about something and the tall martial arts master motioned for silence.
"There is to be a break right now to discuss the current issues. The main communities' representatives should remain here to speak with the High Priest," he announced.
The various guests began to file out of the room. A few groups approached either Lunn or the High Priest to find out who had to stay and talk.
Ryko's group advanced to Lunn eventually.
"You do not have to remain here, young ones. You can continue your practicing in the training rooms below until the next part of the meeting is announced."
The trio bowed and went down the stairs.
Lemina actually didn't want to see them go... they were the closest people to her age in the whole room. She waited impatiently for those who had to leave to disperse.
As usual, she was thinking to herself, "Time is money... and I'm currently wasting a bundle."
The representatives of Horam quickly went to their rooms and change into their normal martial arts uniforms.
Ryko was just slipping on her foot guards and Kara had put on her 'bunny ears' when Talm opened their door in his full ninja gear. His hood was off still though.
"What's taking so long?"
Kara yelled, "Hey! Knock next time! What if we weren't dressed yet and you barged in like that?!"
Talm grinned. "A good surprise."
"He'd probably get a nose bleed," Ryko said with a smirk. The ninja wasn't smiling anymore.
The three of them ran off to the training chamber, bickering...
Over the next fifteen minutes, the young martial artists practiced their skills. Occasionally they would spar with each other... but Kara (in her skimpy outfit) found herself usually sparring with some of the younger male students who normally frequented Lunn's dojo. Of course, her usual 'charm' was in effect and she didn't lose much.
As Ryko was practicing her high kicks, she noticed the strange man clad in blue robes from the meeting. He said nothing and merely scanned over the room, occasionally glancing at the stairs. Ryko basically ignored him.
In the chamber above them, Lemina was listening to the heated debates about possible plans of action to combat the monster threat. In the corner of her eye, she noticed the dark woman sitting next to her now.
Lemina whispered, "Do I know you? You seem very familiar."
The woman nodded and smiled, then spoke in a mysterious tone.
"Yes... Black Wizard of Althena and Junior Premier. It is my power and crest that you have."
"Wha?"
The female chuckled slightly. "I am Shade, the Black Dragon. Remember me now?"
Lemina was surprised to say the least.
"Wow! Mega-cool! I thought Nall was the only one who could shape-shift into a human. Why are you here?"
Shade responded, "Well, I see the White one hasn't praised the rest of us much. Typical. I'm here for the same reason as you. Azuren and I... he's the Blue Dragon if you didn't know it... wanted to hear what the communities plan to do."
The humanoid Black Dragon looked at Thundra.
"Your raven there seems a bit strange... almost familiar."
Lemina nodded, "Yeah, I don't exactly know what she is or where she's from. She crash landed in Vane from a beam of light in the sky. I was hoping someone could shed a little light on her mystery... can you?"
Shade thought for a moment.
"Hmm... that's certainly a strange entrance. I suppose the other dragons may know something about it... ooh, the High Priest is about to talk."
The old man slowly stood up in front of his entourage.
"It has been decided what we should do..."
One of his follower priests stood up and interrupted, removing his hood. He had a knife in his left hand, positioned above the head of the High Priest.
"No... I know what you should all do... start praying!"
Thundra recognized the figure instantly... it was the Necromancer that had plagued Alisia twice upon her journey against Baldour. Apparently he had not been exterminated either. She screeched loudly.
No one could move before the knife came down... but the lightning emitted from the raven's eyes was faster than the flashing blade. The blast slammed the weapon out of the evil mage's hand.
"Ah well... this was just an extra task. The real danger is just beginning!"
The gray robed Necromancer snatched the Goddess Crest and appeared to split into five different shades. The lights suddenly dimmed as guards rushed the crest-stealer... but this coincided with the number of Fatal Hoppers bursting through one of the doors and tackling them.
Each Necromancer dashed off for a different exit. Lemina and Shade were quickly on their feet. Thundra carefully took to the air and tried to distinguish the correct shade from the fake ones.
Master Lunn noticed one of the mages was floating toward a special room... a chamber that had an entrance to the Meribian Sewers behind a tapestry in it. He certainly knew about it... since he created it long ago. He promptly seemed to vanish... then reappeared in front of the evil figure and prepared to nail him with a Viper Punch.
Lunn didn't see the seven Hoppers that leaped on him and held him down. It only took him a few seconds to fling them off... but the mage was through the door and on his way down to the sewers by then.
Lemina grabbed Shade's wrist and motioned at Thundra. The raven landed on her shoulder after zapping several Hoppers. The three of them ran out the main door as the guards chased the maniac into the next room.
They were halfway down the stairs when a small explosion was heard. The Necromancer's allies had just blocked off his route of escape from the chasing forces.
Azuren, the Blue Dragon, immediately looked up the stairs when all the thumping started.
Thundra's screech alerted everyone else in the training room.
"What the-?" Talm started before he saw the Junior Premier, her strange pet and that darkly dressed woman nearly roll down the stairs. More guards rushed in from the outside and cleared them all outside, then rushed up to dig the passageway and protect the priests.
The trio didn't have a chance to grab their stuff and soon were standing outside the dojo, wondering just what happened.
Lemina started to run for Ramus' store, still dragging Shade behind her.
"Hey guys! C'mon! Someone just tried to assassinate the High Priest and stole the Goddess Crest! He ran into the sewers!"
"Tried to kill the priest? Whoever it was has no honor to try a thing like that!" Talm exclaimed.
The blue cloaked mage ran after his fellow dragon.
"But how do we get to the sewers?" Ryko asked as she began to dash with them. Kara and Talm soon followed.
Lemina grinned, "Don't worry... I know another way down into those mega-stinky tunnels... we should be able to intercept him as this is the only other way out."
In five minutes, the seven of them were inside the grimy Meribian sewers. Lemina knew how to guide them toward the other exit... and with such a formidable party the Deadpoles and Mutant Turtles that they encountered didn't have a chance. Azuren and Shade couldn't transform into their full sizes in the cramped tunnels, however they were able to defend themselves with their respective dragon magics. The small metal objects that Shade carried at her side turned out to be very sharp darts... ones that often ended up embedded in the optical organs of the creatures.
Lemina slammed the beasties with Blazing Fire spells and defended the group with Magic Shields. Thundra simply shocked anything in reach.
Ryko and her friends did a ton of damage to the scattered Assassins that were waiting to ambush the group. Having Blue Dragon Vigor available to three martial artists was not good for the monsters' health.
About three-quarters of the correct path through the sewers, Lemina halted the group. Where she would have normally turned right, she now heard voices coming from the left.
"Hold them here... I'm off to grab another crest to the east!" she heard the Necromancer say. She froze in horror... that meant he was after the Black Dragon crest next... it was in the Guild Mansion back in Vane!
The seven humanoids ran after the voice to find themselves in trouble. A new exit had been blown open in the sewer wall...but that wasn't the problem.
In front of them were several horrid shapes. Two huge monsters resembled giant deformed Deadpoles on each side of the platform. Thundra recognized these as well... they were copies of the frog demon Alisia and company had defeated before boarding an airship back on Earth.
Several Assassins and Fatal Hoppers littered the platform... but directly in front of the exit was a mocking image of a dragon... a skeletal dragon. Orange flame filled its 'lungs' as it sneered at them.
An Assassin yelled to them.
"You're history! We've revived the scourge of the sewers from the past and he means business!"
The tunnel behind them collapsed abruptly.
Azuren started to spin his staff rapidly as Ryko leapt into the air to attack.
Lemina cast a Magic Shield around them and retorted as the Assassins began to hurl darts.
"Guess it's another mega-showdown here... but we must hurry!"
The others nodded and rushed the enemies.