My Take at Fiction Writing : The Terra Guardians

[Cerebro]

TERRA GUARDIANS
Episode 1: Dire Beginnings (Part 1)
By Cerebro



High Grove College, 8:30 AM. The morning bears witness to the first day of classes at High Grove College, a sprawling collection of academic buildings incorporated around a small stand of trees. The college houses several academic buildings, activity centers, cafeterias, and dormitories.

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“Hey, Alejandro!!!” called a large, muscular guy wearing a red varsity jacket. “Wait-up!!!”

Another guy, Hispanic, by the looks of him, about the same height and built as the first and wearing the same red varsity jacket, stopped, looked back, and smiled, “hey, Michael...”

As the two approached, they gave each other high fives, and the not-so-secret handshake of the Marauders, High Grove’s football team.

“So, what time is your first class?” Michael asked, as the two of them continued walking.

“I was actually rushing to it, when you stopped me...” Alejandro replied.

“Hey, cool!!! My class starts at the same time, also... Although Physics has never been my favorite subject.”

Alejandro stopped, and looked at his friend, “Physics???”

“Yes. Under Dr. Roberts.” replied Michael, distaste evident in his tone.

“You dumb ass!!!” retorted Alejandro, as he started walking briskly to the nearby building. “We’re classmates, and we just happen to be late on the first meeting...”

Michael’s eyes brightened. He hurried his pace to catch-up to his friend who just entered the building.

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“Ishida!!!” hollered a feminine voice. “You’ll be late for class!”

The being under the thick covers stirred. A hand shot-out from under the covers and grabbed a pair of glasses on the night table. A lanky Asian male rose from the covers, putting on his glasses, he glanced at the nearby alarm clock. “Oh, s**t!!!” he started, as he saw the time.

Ishida jumped from his bed and ran to the nearby bathroom to bathe.

Some thirty minutes later, Ishida was rapidly consuming his breakfast, which consisted of toasted bread, fried eggs, and hotdogs.

“Hey, take it easy... Slow down, Ishida... I don’t want to loose one of my ace archers on the off chance of you choking on your breakfast,” a feminine voice teased him from behind.

“Easy for you to say, Riza-sensei,” Ishida replied. “Your class does not start until after lunch...” he added as he gulped his coffee.

Ishida glanced at his watch. “Oh, God... I’m gonna be fried...” he remarked as he stood-up and headed for the door, grabbing his backpack from the sofa, and his bow from its stand by the door.

“See you at practice later, Ishida-kun...” Riza teased her ward, as Ishida closed the door behind him.

Minutes later, the sound of a scooter engine can be heard moving away from the house.

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A lean-built, young man in his late teens, holding a dog dish, stepped out into the front porch of his home. “Cooby!!!” he hollered. “Cooby!!! Come here boy...”

Seconds later, a Golden Retriever sauntered up to the young man and vigorously licked his hands.

“Good boy, Cooby,” the young man acknowledged his companion’s greeting. “Hurry-up and eat your breakfast... I don’t want to be late for school...” he said, as he placed a dog dish laden with pet food on the front porch.

“Buona mattina, Pietro!!!” greeted a masculine voice from the gate of the property.

Pietro looked-up and smiled at the elderly man by the gate. “Buona mattina, Mr. Richards,” Pietro greeted as he approached.

Mr. Richards handed Pietro the morning paper, and gave him a quizzical look. “Isn’t it lonely living alone?” the elderly man asked. “I have seen you like this for over a year now... Unless during weekends...”

Pietro shrugged his shoulders. “I eventually got used to it.... After the death of Mom, and all...” a somber expression momentarily replaced the smile previously on his face.

The change of expression was not lost to Mr. Richards. “Perdonilo, Pietro...” he said apologetically. “I did not mean to remind you of your mother’s untimely death. She was a jewel in this community...”

Pietro smiled again. “It’s alright, Mr. Richards...” he replied, his cheerfulness returning. “It has been over a year now. I know she is happy where she is...”

“Oh my goodness! look at the time...” Mr. Richards butted-in as he glanced his watch. “I am sorry to cut our conversation, but have to go, Pietro. I still have several papers to deliver...”

“It’s alright...” Pietro replied, as Mr. Richards got on his bicycle.

“Perhaps we can talk about things when we’re both not in a hurry...” Mr. Richards said, as he biked away. “Arrivederci, Pietro!”

“Arrivederci!” Pietro called back. After Mr. Richards vanished from view at the corner, Pietro walked back to the house. He picked-up Cooby’s, now empty dog dish, along the way, and went straight to the kitchen for breakfast and a quick bath.

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A tall, lean-built, teenager has just passed through the front door of his home, when his instincts warned him that something is amiss. He dodged just in time to avoid a sidekick aimed at his mid-section.

“What the f**k?!?”

“I’m impressed with your agility, young-one,” commented a man standing beside the door, as he dropped into a fighting stance. The assailant was wearing a ski mask to cover his facial features.

“Hey!!! I have no time for this...” called back the teenager.

He never got to finish his statement, the masked guy launched a roundhouse kick to his head. Dropping his bag, the teenager did a series of back flips to get away from his assailant.

“You can’t get away from me that easily...” the assailant said as he rushed the teenager.

The two combatants exchanged a flurry of blows, each matching the other’s speed and accuracy.

“You know, Uncle Mike,” the teenager said in-between blows. “You are making me late for class with this stupid stunt...”

“But this IS class, Steve...” the man replied.

A well-placed kick to the mid-section by his uncle sent Steve flying to a nearby tree.

The agile teenager, not to be outdone by his uncle, twisted his body in mid-air to land, feet first, on the trunk. Using the momentum given to him by the kick, he launched himself from the tree and tackled his uncle, caught flat-footed by the maneuver, to the ground.

Steve back flipped and dropped into a fighting stance. He waited for his uncle to pick himself up from the ground.

“I concede...” Uncle Mike said, raising an arm while removing the ski mask with the other. “Where did you learn a maneuver like that?” he asked as he stood up and dusted himself.

Hearing his Uncle concede defeat, Steve relaxed his stance. “You’d be surprised at what I can learn from watching cable...” he said with a smirk.

One of Uncle Mike’s eyebrows shot-up, “Is that so...” he said thoughtfully. “I think I will spend time looking into these animé shows you are so fond of watching...” He started walking to a nearby pick-up, but stopped and looked back to his nephew as he heard him groan. “What’s the problem?”

“I’ll be late for class...” Steve complained. “Thanks to you...” he added, venom in his voice.

Uncle Mike laughed. “Come on, I’ll take you to school.” he said as he walked to the pick-up.

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“Ryza!!! Hurry up!!!” yelled a masculine voice, followed by several honks from a car.

A statuesque teenager with brunette hair, and sporting a pink blouse and mini-skirt emerged from the front door of the house and hurriedly got into the waiting car.

The vehicle sped from the residential area in the direction of High Grove College.

“God! I can’t believe you are sooooo slow...” admonished the driver. “I’ve been calling for you for almost 30 minutes now...”

“I’m sorry, ok...” Ryza replied, as she began blow drying her still damp hair. “By the way, how did your gymnastics practice last Saturday went?” she asked, changing the topic of the conversation.

“It was okay...” the driver answered.

Ryza stared long at her companion. Fair skinned and sporting curly black hair, Troa was not what one would call a head turner. He was of average built, his lean frame was due to his rigorous training with the gymnastics team of High Grove.

The prevailing silence drew Troa’s attention to his companion. He noticed her staring at him.

“Is there a problem., Hon?”

Troa’s question snaps Ryza back to the present, just in time to warn Troa of a black sports motorbike as it over took the car.

“Watch it, you jerk!!!” Troa yelled at the driver of the motorbike.

“Take it easy...” Ryza calmed her boyfriend. “It was your fault after all...”

“My fault???”

“Yes...” she answered winsomely. “ You should have paid more attention to the road than to me...” she added with a smile.

Despite the near accident, the lovers resumed their conversation about Troa’s training and their expectation for the new school term.

By the time they reached the College, the parking lot was almost full. Ryza spotted a vacancy and quickly pointed it to Troa.

Troa has just turned-off the engine of her car when a black sports motorbike came into view. It parked not far from the two friends.

Troa got our of the car, eager to confront the person he felt was responsible for their near accident earlier. Ryza followed suit with the hopes of placating her boyfriend before he makes a scene.

------------------

In the bowels of an old abandoned building, somewhere in the outskirts of High Grove…

“Mordred!!!” boomed a halting, raspy voice.

A being, wearing long black robes, appeared and bowed low before a large gilded mirror. “You summoned me, dread lord Akuma?”

“According to my calculations, tonight is the perfect time to break the seal on the black tome…”

The being eagerly rubbed his hands. “Yes… Tonight will begin the end of mankind as we know it… Soon you will be free to rule this world…” he said ecstatically.

“Awaken one of my servants, and create a horde of Podlings to find a chosen sacrifice…” the voice instructed.

“It shall be as you command…” the being replied. Taking another low bow, he shuffled from the mirror to do the voice’s bidding.

As he left, a pair of malevolent eyes gleamed from the smooth surface of the obsidian mirror.


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Comments to better improve the fiction is highly encouraged, and much appreciated...

[Cerebro]

TERRA GUARDIANS
Episode 1: Dire Beginnings (Part 2)
By Cerebro



The driver has just alighted from his vehicle, and was about to remove the safety helmet he was wearing, when Troa accosted him.

“You jerk!” he fumed. “You nearly got us killed a while ago!!!”

“E... Excuse me?” the obviously male driver stammered, still not believing what was just happening. “Do we know each other?”

“Well, for your information Mr. Smart-ass, I happen to be the driver of the car you recklessly overtook on your way here! You nearly got me and my girlfriend killed, you creep!”

At this point, the driver removed the safety helmet he was wearing, revealing a fair skinned teen, with wavy black hair, soulful oriental eyes, and an aquiline nose.

By this time, Ryza had approached the two, she placed a hand on her lover’s shoulder.

“Oh...” the guy said with a sneer. “You were the driver of that snail on the road, a while back...”

Troa flared. “A snail?!?!”

“As I recall, there was a line of vehicles forming right behind you.”

“There was not!” he vehemently denied.

“The poor things, they must have been running late at the rate you were going.” the driver said, chuckling.

“Come on,” Ryza whispering, interrupted from behind him as she tugged on one arm. “He is right you know... You were running a little slow...”

“It’s still not an excuse to recklessly overtake us... He could have gotten us killed.”

“Listen to your girlfriend, pal... This argument is pointless anyway.”

Troa glared at the arrogant guy. Without warning, he threw a right hook, which the guy surprisingly deftly avoided.

“Troa, NO!!!” Ryza cried, as she hugged her boyfriend.

The other guy was about to retaliate when Ryza interposed herself between the two men.

“Please, no more...” she pleaded. “Troa, let’s go...” she said as she pushed her still fuming boyfriend away.

The other guy did not follow them, but rather walked away in the opposite direction.

The first day of school went by without further incident. By 4:00 PM, most of the classes have ended. Students loitered the various pathways connecting the academic buildings, and the shaded kiosks lining them.

“Hey, Ryza!” a familiar voice called from behind her.

Ryza turned around to see Troa running towards her.

“Will you be going home soon?” Troa asked her as they resumed walking.

“Nope…” she answered

“What do you mean by ‘nope?”

“Nope… As in no... As in not yet...”

“Why?”

“My classmates and I will be group studying later...”

“Until what time?”

“I don’t know yet...” Ryza answered. “Tell you what... Why don’t you go on ahead.”

“But what about you?”

“One of my classmates passes by the house to go home... I can ride with her...”

Troa looked doubtful.

“Don’t worry, Honey...” Ryza assured him. “Nothing bad will happen...”

“Okay,” Troa finally agreed. “But promise to call me the moment you get home. Okay...”

“Promise...” Ryza replied crossing her heart.

After a tender kiss, the lovers parted ways, with Troa heading for the parking lot, and Ryza to one of the shaded kiosks lining the pathway.

A group of girls was waiting for Ryza in one of the kiosks. As she approached, one of them, an Asian by her looks, ran up to her.

“Hi, Ryza...” she greeted.

“Hello, Yuki...”

“Um... Do you have anything to do today?” Yuki asked.

“I thought we were going to group study?”

“Uh... Well... The others wanted to go to the pool.”

Ryza raised an eyebrow.

Yuki looked at her friend, her eyes sparkling. “We heard that the swimming team will be holding tryouts at the today…” she whispered, her intent evident in that one statement.

Ryza’s eyes widened. She giggled her ascent.

Minutes later, the group of guy-crazy teens were making their way to the College pool. As they neared the gate, between the showers and the pool, Ryza suddenly got second thoughts about continuing their present plans.

“This is crazy,” she remarked as she stopped right before entering the gate.


“What is crazy?” asked a blond Caucasian girl about Ryza’s age.

“THIS. I mean, what we are about to do… We’re not even avid swimmers…”

“C’mon...” urged another girl.

“Don’t be such a party-pooper...” added another.

Ryza allowed herself to be dragged by her friends into the pool area.

Midway to the bleachers, Ryza’s gnawing conscience got the better of her. She quickly turned to leave the pool when she accidentally bumped into the person right behind her. Had it not been for his quick reflexes, Ryza would have fallen on the ground.

“Hey, Miss...” he said as he caught her. “Be careful...”

She felt bare skin touching her, causing her to back off. She was about to say something to the person who helped her, when she stopped before uttering a single word.

Standing there, wearing nothing but a pair of blue Speedos was the same guy Troa accosted that morning.

Ryza froze... her face suddenly aflame. She dared not look down fearing of what the guy would think of her.

Ryza’s friends rushed to her side.

“Are you all right, Miss?” he asked.

“I... I’m fine... Thank you”

The guy smiled. “You know... You look familiar...”

“Who wouldn’t know Ryza Cenon...” piped in one of her friends.

“Girlfriend to the gymnast Troa Burton...” added another.

“Now I remember! You were with the guy that tried to punch me this morning, right?”

The girls stared at Ryza.

“Um... Yes... That was me...” she stammered. “I hope you don’t hold grudges...”

The guy laughed. “Don’t worry... It is not with you that I have a score to settle with... That is if I do hold a grudge against someone...”

He extended his hand to Ryza, “By the way, I’m Pietro... Pietro Alessandro Rosellini”

An Asian girl grabbed his hand. “Hi. My name is Yuki... Yuki Toritaka...”

The other girls swarmed Pietro and began introducing themselves. In the chaos that ensued, Ryza took the chance to extricate herself from the scene.

When Ryza reached the parking lot, she took out her mobile phone and dialed Troa’s number.

“What’s up, Hon?” Troa asked on the other end of the line.

“Could you pick me up at school?”

“Why? What happened?”

“There has been a change of plans...” she answered. “The study group will not be pushing through.”

“Alright... I’ll be there in a few minutes...”

Some thirty minutes later, Troa’s car entered the parking lot. Ryza got in, and the two left the campus.

Troa noticed Ryza’s silence. “Hey... Anything bothering you?”

“No. It’s nothing...”

“You wanna hang-out before I take you home?”

“That would be nice,” she answered. “But where would we go?”

“How 'bout the Galaxy...” Troa suggested.

“Okay...” Ryza answered, her mood changing by the thought of spending time with the loved one.

It was a little past 6:30 when Troa and Ryza, reached The Galaxy. The two headed for a corner table with a good view of the stage and the dance floor. The two of them chatted with each other while absorbing the ambiance and checking-out the scene.

The stage was being set-up, with the members of a band busily tuning their instruments. Troa pointed to Ryza, one member of the band whom he recognized, and identified as Steve Michael Rukawa, a member of the College basketball varsity team.

“So, what would you like to order?” a somewhat familiar voice asked the couple.

Troa looked-up, “You!!!” he said a bit agitated upon recognizing the Galaxy employee attending them. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Ryza laid a hand on Troa’s. “Stop it!” she admonished him tersely. “I though you brought me here to enliven my mood?”

“Sorry...” Troa apologized.

“Sorry about his outburst, Pietro...” Ryza said to the waiter.

“It was nothing,” the guy she addressed as Pietro said. “So, what would you guys like to have?”

“We’ll have the house special…” answered Ryza.

“Anything else?”

“No. That will be all.”

“Okay. Two house specials, coming up...” he said as he left the couple’s table.

“How did you come to know him?” Troa asked almost accusingly.

“He was introduced to me by one of my friends...” Ryza lied.

“I see...” Troa said coldly.

“Don’t worry...” Ryza assured him. “You have nothing to worry about. I’m not interested in him if that is what you’re thinking...”

Troa did not reply.

Some thirty minutes since they placed their order, a waiter of the Galaxy delivered their orders.

After about another hour, a voice was heard over the PA system.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen… Tonight’s performance is courtesy of a band composed of guys who some, if not most, of you know… I am pleased to introduce The Meteorites!!!”

The band on the stage took their cue and started playing a 90s pop song, to which the customers gamely danced. Troa led Ryza to the dance floor and danced to the song.

It was during the band’s third song, when a commotion outside The Galaxy drew everyone’s attention.

Before anyone can see what was happening, the double doors bursts inwards and a cobra-like creature steps in surrounded by several smaller creatures with large eyes and sporting long sharp claws.

A sibilant hiss escaped from the monster. “I am Sssserpentor… Guardian of the dread Lord Akuma-ssss… Sssssubmit willingly, or die…” he said as he craned and swayed his head from side to side.

Fear gripped the customers inside the Galaxy, and panic ensued. As chaos descended on the patrons of The Galaxy, Troa pulled Ryza towards the emergency exit.

A guard struck Serpentor from behind with a nightstick, doing nothing.

Serpentor grabbed the guard, and threw him to the bar, destroying the glass display in the process.

“Very well-ssss… Podlingssss attack!!!”

Frightened patrons streamed through the exit doors as the Podlings attacked.

While the Podlings were harassing the patrons, Seprentor kept vigil by the door, swaying his hooded head from side to side seemingly looking for something, or someone. He stopped when he spotted a figure leaving the Galaxy through the emergency exit.

Inside, the bar was in total disarray. But there was no longer any sign of Serpentor. Pietro heard the sounds of fighting in one corner. Glancing in that direction, he spotted the lead singer of the band, The Meteorites, locked in combat with three of the creatures Serpentor called Podlings. He moved in to help but he spied two Podlings milling by the bar. He decided to move to that direction.


Pietro grabbed a metal serving tray left on one of the tables, and sent it flying into one of the Podlings. Luck must have guided Pietro’s throw as it cleanly lobed-off the head of one of the Podlings, which exploded into black sulphurous vapor upon dying.

The other Podling momentarily stood, staring into the space that once was occupied by his companion. The momentary distraction was all that Pietro needed as he landed a kick in the mid-section of the Podling, causing it to fly to the now damaged display behind the bar.

Looking around for more Podlings to fight, Pietro saw another guy, this one having a more muscular built, taking on three Podlings single handedly. He had lacerations in various parts of his body, but he seems not to be affected by them.

A feminine scream from the outside of the bar caused Pietro to run to the emergency exit. He arrived in time to see Serpentor single-handedly toss Troa to a nearby tree, knocking him unconscious, while he firmly grasped, a still struggling, Ryza in the other.

“Hey, bozo!!!” Pietro yelled at Serpentor. “Let go of her and pick on someone your own size!!!”

“Why don’t you make me-sss???”

Pietro charged Serpentor, but was easily deflected by the monster.

Serpentor whipped his tail, catching Pietro unaware, thus landing a solid hit to the mid-section sending the teenager to the ground. The monster then wrapped its tail around Pietro’s leg and lifted the hapless teenager into the air. Serpentor flicked his tail downward pummeling his victim to the ground.

The sudden burst of pain, blood, and the distinct sound of cracking bones told Pietro that he had sustained internal injuries.

“NNNNOOOO!!!!” Ryza screamed. “Let go of him, you beast!!!” she said as she struggled to free herself from Serpentor’s grasp.

“Wretched girl...” Serpentor hissed. He gut-punched Ryza knocking her unconscious.

Turning his attention to the bleeding teen sprawled on the ground, “Time to end thisss little game...”, Serpentor threw the near unconscious teen to a nearby car.

Ignoring the pain he is currently experiencing, Pietro managed to open his eyes to see Serpentor carrying an unconscious Ryza with him. He desperately tried to stand-up, but his legs failed. Soon darkness came.

Inside the bar, the struggle between the two human combatants and the remaining Podlings was quickly over. The two guys, though suffering from lacerations, surveyed the battlefield. They approached one another sizing each other up.

“You look familiar,” commented the lead singer of the Meteorites.

“It must be the jacket...” the muscular guy joked, breaking into a grin.

“Steve Michael Rukawa,” the first guy said, extending a hand.

“Alejandro Santiago,” responded the other, taking the extended hand and shaking it vigorously. “What do you think happened here?”

“Beats me...” Steve replied with a shrug. “These creeps interrupted our gig...”

“Hey...” Alejandro interrupted, “Did you notice where that ugly snake monster went???” he asked glancing around the now empty bar.

“I was too busy fighting for my life to notice...”

They both walked outside through the emergency exit.

“What the hell...” Alejandro uttered, after witnessing the wreckage left behind by Serpentor.

“Over there...” Steve pointed to a nearby car.

The pair ran over, and stopped, to see a badly beaten teen slumped beside the car.

“Hey, I know that guy...” Steve said. “He’s one of the bartenders working at the Galaxy...”

“C’mon... We have to get him to the hospital.” Alejandro offered, as he moved in to carry the guy.

“There’s another one...” interjected Steve as he rushed to a nearby tree.

But before either of them could pick-up the badly beaten teenagers, their bodies, as well those of the other two on the ground, were covered by a mysterious white glow. The intensity of the light increased until it was painful to look at.

When he opened his eyes, Alejandro noticed that they were no longer in the parking lot.


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Comments to better improve the fiction is highly encouraged, and much appreciated...

[Angelfox]

sounds interesting.....

[Cerebro]

TERRA GUARDIANS
Episode 2: Destinies Revealed (Part 1)
By Cerebro



He did not know how long he had been out, but Pietro woke-up in the middle of a forest. Evergreens reached for the vast sky above, birds flitted from tree to tree. The sound of a bubbling brook can be heard in the distance. The grassy ground cover felt cool to his bare skin...

His bare skin?!? Pietro suddenly sat up. He was wearing nothing but his boxers. He examined his body and found no signs of the damage he took from Serpentor. Am I dreaming??? he thought to himself. Or did I die, and this is heaven?

“You are not dreaming, my son... And neither is this heaven...” uttered an old voice.

“Who’s there?” Pietro asked defiantly. Standing up to better defend himself, “Show yourself!” he yelled.

An old man, with flowing white hair and beard, wearing green and brown robes, and clutching a wooden staff topped with holly, appeared several feet from Pietro.

He instinctively dropped into a fighting stance. “Who are you?”

The old man laughed. “Why so agitated, Pietro? Do you believe that an old man like me has any hopes of defeating someone like you who is at the prime of their youth?”

“Well, I’m not willing to take any chances...” he shot back, not relaxing from the stance. “I repeat my question... Who are you? And how come you know my name?”

“Your name, and those of a select few, has been written in the stars since time began... You are all destined to become protectors of your world... Our world...”

Pietro relaxed a bit. Turning over the information just handed to him in his mind. “What are you talking about?” he asked the old man.

To his surprise, the old man was now beside him, barely a few inches from his body. With surprising speed, the man brought his thumb and middle finger to rest at the base of Pietro’s neck, and pinched him there.

The quick pinch brought lancing pain throughout Pietro’s body. He felt as though he was falling until he lost consciousness once more.

------------------

The area Alejandro and Steve found themselves reminded them of an ancient ruin in the middle of a forest.

“Where the hell are we?” Alejandro asked.

“Beats me...” answered Steve. “Where are the other two?”

“Fear not...” an elderly voice spoke. “Your injured friends are being taken cared off...”

The duo looked around for the source of the voice.

“Who are you?” Steve asked.

“Show yourself!” added Alejandro.

The wind picked up intensity, and the two teenagers felt a presence in their midst.

“All in good time, my children... Now you need to rest. You have been through a lot...”

The pair suddenly felt very tired, and promptly collapsed on the ground, asleep.

The sound of movement nearby brought Steve back to his senses. He slowly opened an eye to check his surroundings. Movement at the edge of his vision drew his attention. By the fire, someone with long white hair, and wearing a brown and green robe, was busy with something, with his back turned towards them.

The old man stood-up from the cooking fire and went to the table. He had been preparing food for his three unconscious guests. He looked towards the cots on the other side of the room. One of them was empty... Before he could move, a knife was held up against his throat.

“Move, and I slice you...” instructed the voice behind him.

He chuckled. “I am glad that you are fully refreshed, Steve...”

The knife pressed closer to the skin.

“How did you know my name?”

The old man did not answer.

“I’m asking you, old man... How did you know my name?”

Still no answer.

Steve turned his hostage around to get a better look at him, but was surprised to see a wooden dummy in-place of the old man.

“Wonderfully done, Steve...” the old man complemented him from the other side of the room. “You have learned your skills well... I did not even know that you were already awake...”

Steve was about to lunge at the old man when a second figure entered the scene.

A pair of huge arms embraced the old man in a fierce bear hug.

“Thought you could get away, huh...” remarked his second guest.

With a blink of an eye, the man vanished and in his place was a badger, which fiercely began scratching and biting the one holding him.

“Well done, Alejandro...” the old man said, now at a safe distance from the two males. “Your strength is quite impressive... Oh, and I suggest you let go of that badger now. He does get angry when rudely awakened...”

Turning around, the old man was faced by his third guest. He punched the old man in the face sending him to the ground. Before he can get up, Troa had already straddled him across the chest.

“Get off me!!!” he ordered Troa. “This is simply unbecoming...”

“Shut-up!” Troa agitatedly told the old man.

Within the span of a heartbeat, Steve and Alejandro were standing on either side of the prone man.

“Alright,” Steve began. “Time to get some answers out of you...”

“Question him later...” Alejandro argued. “I wanna get back at him for that stunt he pulled...” he added angrily.

Steve couldn’t help but chuckle.

Alejandro’s face showed scratches and bleeding cuts in some areas... evidence of the ferocity of an angry badger.

“I will be glad to answer all your questions,” interrupted the old man. “If you would help me up.”

Troa leaned in. “You are in no position to make requests you geezer...” he whispered threateningly.

The old man sputtered... “Ge... Geezer?!?” he asked indignantly. “Well, I never...”

“My, oh my...” Steve interjected, looking at the old man beneath Troa. “It seems that all of us wants a piece of you, old man... So, I suggest you start talking... and fast.” He looked meaningfully at the knife he was holding.

Before another word can be uttered, the group found themselves in another ruin. This time, however, the ruin appears to be the remnants of an ancient temple.

------------------

Meanwhile, at the innermost sanctum of the demon Akuma...

“I have arrived with the chosssen sssacrifice, my lord Mordred,” Serpentor hissed as he laid the unconscious girl on an obsidian slab.

A being wearing a black hooded robe approached the creature. “You have done well, Serpentor...” praised Mordred. Looking around, he noticed the absence of the Podlings. “Where are the Podlings?”

“I usssed them as diversssion. A group of humansss tried to interfere. I left the Podlingsss to take care of them...”

“I supposed that cannot be helped...”

“Mordred!!!” boomed a halting, raspy voice.

Both Mordred and Serpentor turned towards the obsidian mirror and bowed low.

“We have the chosen sacrifice, dread lord Akuma!” Mordred intoned.

“Well done my servants... Prepare the sacrifice! The time draws nigh...”

“It shall be done, my lord.”

The pair bowed once more. Mordred signaled for Serpentor to take the sacrifice and follow him.

About half an hour later, Mordred returned to the chamber followed by Serpentor. Behind the two, walked the sacrifice. She was wearing a black outfit, straight-out of a domination porn flick (she was the dominatrix) and a cape. Her long hair had been woven into an intricate oriental bun, held in place by two long hair needles. Her eyes were glazed over. They led her to the obsidian altar, and made her lay there.

Outside the old building, dark storm clouds have begun to gather. Lightning bolts forked across the heavens.

The citizens of High Grove became frightened. Especially since the local weather bureau was at a loss on how to explain this display of meteorologic fury.

As the sand inside the top half of an ornate hourglass emptied, a black cloud billowed forth from the mirror and enveloped the mesmerized girl and the altar on which she was lying. Mere seconds passed before the inky cloud vanished. The girl sat up and smiled.

“What is the meaning of this, Massster?” Serpentor asked confused. “Did the ritual fail?”

Before Mordred could answer, the girl leveled a hand in the direction of Serpentor and shot him with a bolt of crackling black energy.

“Foolish creature!” a halting, raspy voice emanating from the girl said.

Mordred’s eyes widened. “Forgive his insolence, oh dread lord...” he begged.

“Phase one of my plan has been fulfilled...” the voice said triumphantly. “Phase two will commence immediately.”

Mordred and Serpentor, still holding the spot struck by the bolt, bowed low.

“From this moment on... This girl, Ryza, shall be the physical vessel of my dark powers... You shall revere her as you do me...”

“Yes, my lord...” the two said in unison.

“Welcome Dark Mistress...” Mordred greeted his new superior.

Ryza smiled a malevolent smile.


==========

Comments to better improve the fiction is highly encouraged, and much appreciated...

[Cerebro]

TERRA GUARDIANS
Episode 2: Destinies Revealed (Part 2)
By Cerebro



“You have proven yourselves truly worthy of your destiny...” the old man said standing some distance from the three teens.

Alejandro looked at the other two. “Well I’ll be... This geezer is slippier than an oiled eel...”

Thunder clapped in the distance. The wind suddenly picked-up, and dark clouds rolled in from nowhere. Lightning bolts forked across the heavens.

The old man looked into the sky, fear registering in his eyes.

“We have no time to waste!!!” the old man boomed from his location.

The three teens looked on, stunned at the sudden change in demeanor of the old man.

“Already the demons move to claim a source of boundless power to free their imprisoned master.”

The old man approached the wary teenagers. As he neared them, several stone pillars erupted from the ground to form a circle around the four individuals.

“The time has come to fulfill your destinies.”

“Eh??? What the hell are you babbling about?” Alejandro asked.

“Silence!” shouted the old man. “There is no time...” he said with urgency. He began chanting in an ancient language.

The ground before the three teens opened up and a pedestal emerged from the crack.

The old man’s voice rose an octave as he neared the climax of his enchantment.

The pedestal started to glow, the light increasing in intensity every second, until it was unbearable to look at.

When the light finally subsided, varying shards of crystals, about two inches in length were floating around the pedestal. They started spinning, and as they did, they began rising into the air.

“Ah... He is ready.” intoned the old man.

A bright flash of light revealed the presence of yet another individual.

“Welcome to group Pietro…” the old man greeted the new arrival.

The other three turned to see Pietro standing there in his boxers. They started to laugh.

From the spinning crystals, four shards suddenly shot-out and embedded themselves on the chest of the four teens, just above the heart.

The surprised teens instinctively felt the area where the crystals punctured their skin. To their amazement, no wound, nor scar, was left to indicate where the crystal entered.

“The elements have judged your actions, and found you all worthy.” explained the old man as he approached the baffled teens. Turning to the largest in the group, “Alejandro, your bravery and ferocity in combat found great favor with the Element of Fire. You shall be the bearer of its legacy.”

He turned next to Steve. “Your cunning and all-around sneakiness in combat has found favor with the Element of the Void, that which is everything and is nothing. You shall be the bearer of its legacy. But be warned. Of all the elements that make up our world, it is the Void that represents neutrality… balance. It is also the closest to darkness… You walk a dangerous path, Steve Michael Rukawa. But the element would not have chosen you if they felt you were unworthy. I pray that you do not fail them.”

“Your adaptability, to the situation on hand, and ingenuity had granted you the blessings of the Element of Water. To you they grant their legacy,” he said to Troa.

Turning to Pietro, “Last but not the least, Pietro Alessandro Rosellini. You who are capable of sacrificing your self for the benefit of others… Your undying desire to protect those weaker than you… To you, the Element of Earth grants its blessings.”

Moving to his position on the other side of the pedestal, the old man once again addressed the assembled teens. “From here on forwards, you shall be known as the Terra Guardians, Protector of Mother Earth and her beloved offsprings. And I, Faramir, last of the Great Druids of old will lend my wisdom to guide you on your path.”

“And what is our ‘path’?” Steve asked.

“To protect the Earth from the forces of darkness bent on domination.”

The four teens looked at one another.

“As we speak, the minions of the dread lord Akuma has begun terrorizing the citizens of High Grove.”

“Why us?” asked Troa.

“It is a long story. Something I will tell you when I feel that you are ready...”

The hoot of an owl drew their attention above them. The lone owl circled above the group once, and landed on Faramir’s shoulders. The ancient Druid raised his staff and leveled it on the new Terra Guardians. Each was engulfed with an aura, the color of which represented their element: Alejandro was bathed in a red aura, Steve in black, Troa in blue, and Pietro was suffused in a green aura.

When the light faded, each noticed armbands strapped on to their right forearm, the colors of which are identical to the aura that bathed them a mere few seconds ago.

“Those will be your means of transfiguration,” Faramir explained.

“Transfigura-whatsis???” asked a confused Troa.

“Transfiguration… The ability to change your form,” answered Faramir.

The teens looked at him not comprehending what he is saying.

He sighed. “I guess you need an example.” He looked at the four. “So, who will it be?”

“I’ll go…” volunteered Pietro, as he took a step forward.

“Very well…” Faramir said. “Come over here so that we can start…”

As Pietro moved to Faramir’s side, the Druid looked at the others. “Pay attention. I do not like repeating myself.” Turning his attention to Pietro, “Close your eyes and look inside you for the power.”

Pietro did as he was told. In the silence of his mind, he felt the silent strength of the earth… The serenity found in the heart of a virgin forest… The earth’s life protecting nature… As well as it’s raging fury when angered. Then a firm, rumbling voice spoke. “Power of Earth!”

Pietro’s eyes opened. He felt his body moving of its own volition. “Power of Earth!” As he uttered the phrase, Pietro felt the sudden rush of power from all around him.

Earth Terra Guardian Morphing Sequence:
As he began the transformation sequence, Pietro was transported into the middle of a dense forest. A sudden flurry of leaves surrounded him. By the time the flurry of leaves has dissipated, Pietro was nowhere to be seen. Standing in his place was a being wearing green spandex, gloves, and boots, all with dark-green highlights. A sealed helmet covers his face.

“Defender of Life… Earth Terra Guardian!!!” the being said, taking a dynamic pose.

The other teens rushed over to their companion.

“Hey, Pietro… Is that really you?” asked Steve.

“Yes… and no…” Pietro answered cryptically.

“What do you mean ‘yes and no’?” prodded Alejandro.

“Yes, I am Pietro… and at the same time no…”

“He’s gone nuts…” commented Troa.

“Will you quit being so cryptic!!!” added Alejandro in frustration.

“As I said. I am still Pietro, but at the same time, I am the physical manifestation of the Earth Element…”

“How does it feel?” asked Troa.

“Weird. Is the only word I can think of…”

“I’ll be next…” Steve said enthusiastically.

“Why don’t you all do it together…” Faramir interrupted. "You have already wasted precious time..."

The other teens lined up and did what Pietro has done before.

As he focused, Steve felt the untapped power of the void… The knowledge accumulated over the ages… As well as the void’s raging fury when it is angered. Then a detached, dispassionate, voice spoke. “Power of the Void!”

Void Terra Guardian Morphing Sequence:
As he began the transformation sequence, Steve was transported to the vastness of deep space. An inky blackness suddenly him. By the time the inky blackness has dissipated, Steve was nowhere to be seen. Standing in his place was a being wearing black spandex, gloves, and boots, all with dark-gray highlights. A sealed helmet covers his face.

As he centered on his inner self, Alejandro felt the raw energy of fire… A creator in its best aspect… A destroyer in its worst… As well as its potential for vast destruction when angered. Then a raging, passionate, voice spoke. “Power of Fire!”

Fire Terra Guardian Morphing Sequence:
As he began the transformation sequence, Alejandro was transported to the middle of a raging volcano. A fiery column suddenly engulfed him. By the time the fiery pillar has subsided, Alejandro was nowhere to be seen. Standing in his place was a being wearing red spandex, gloves, and boots, all with yellow highlights. A sealed helmet covers his face.


Upon closing his eyes, Troa was engulfed by the coolness of water… The source of life… He was carried by the fast moving currents… And he was overwhelmed by its surprising destructive potential. Then a compassionate, distinctly feminine, voice spoke. “Power of Water!”

Water Terra Guardian Morphing Sequence:
As he began the transformation sequence, Troa was transported to the bottom of the ocean. A column bubbles suddenly engulfed him. By the time the bubbles have dissipated, Troa was nowhere to be seen. Standing in his place was a being wearing blue spandex, gloves, and boots, all with dark-blue highlights. A sealed helmet covers his face.

“Preserver of the balance… Void Terra Guardian!!!” the being in black said, taking a dynamic pose.

“Destroyer and Creator… Fire Terra Guardian!!!” the being in red said, taking a dynamic pose.

“Bringer of Life… Water Terra Guardian!!!” the being in blue said, taking a dynamic pose.

“Protector of the Earth… Terra Guardians!!!” the four said in unison.

“Well done, children…” Faramir praised the group.



==========

Comments to better improve the fiction is highly encouraged, and much appreciated...

[Cerebro]

TERRA GUARDIANS
Episode 3: The First Test
By Cerebro



As the group was reveling in their new found powers, the tranquil pond in the nearby clearing suddenly heaved, and a geyser erupted from its center. Everyone turned towards the pond. Faramir was the first to move. The others followed.

Looking into the pond, the group saw the commercial district being reflected on the water’s surface. Shops were being vandalized and looted.

“Look...” Steve pointed out. “More of those podlings.”

“Looks like Serpentor is back...” Alejandro commented.

“Good... I have a score to settle with him,” replied Pietro flexing his knuckles.

“We can’t just destroy him...” Troa countered.

The others looked at him.

“I mean, he is the only one who knows where Ryza is being held...” Troa explained. There was an almost pleading look in his eyes.

“Very well,” Faramir interrupted their conversation. “Try your best to subdue this Serpentor. But if he becomes unmanageable, do what you must. Your primary responsibility is the protection of the Earth and all her inhabitants. There are sacrifices that must be made...”

The finality in Faramir’s tone told every one that he would not broker any more arguments.

“Wait a minute...” said Steve. “We are so eager to hand down justice on Serpentor, but we are forgetting one thing...”

“What?” the other three Guardians asked.

Turning to Faramir, “Our powers come with weapons, right???”

“Yes...”

“Good. I thought all we get are these fancy costumes...”

Faramir shook his head. He leveled his staff on the four teens and engulfed them in light. When the light vanished, so did they.

Meanwhile, Serpentor and a warthog-looking, bipedal creature, along with a company of Podlings, were vandalizing several establishments along Madison St., at the center of High Grove’s commercial district.

“That’s as far as you go, Serpentor!” shouted a masculine voice.

Serpentor and the creature looked up to the direction the voice came from.

Atop one of the stores on the other side of the street, stood four costumed beings.

“And who would ssstop usss?”

The warthog creature squealed its approval.

“The Terra Guardians, that’s who...” shouted the being in red.

“The Terra who???” hissed Serpentor mockingly.

“Let’s do this...” whispered Alejandro to his teammates.

“Destroyer and Creator… Fire Terra Guardian!!!” the being in red said, taking a dynamic pose.

“Preserver of the balance… Void Terra Guardian!!!” the being in black said, taking a dynamic pose.

“Defender of Life… Earth Terra Guardian!!!” the being in green said, taking a dynamic pose.

“Bringer of Life… Water Terra Guardian!!!” the being in blue said, taking a dynamic pose.

“Protector of the Earth… Terra Guardians!!!” the four said in unison.

The four beings jumped from the roof.

“Podlingsss! Desstroy them!!!” ordered Serpentor.

They charged Serpentor but the warthog and the podlings blocked their path.

The four separated, with the Fire Terra Guardian taking on the warthog creature, while Void and Water took on the Podlings. The Earth Terra Guardian leapt at Serpentor delivering a kick to the chest.

The Fire Terra Guardian and the warthog exchanged blows. Void was quickly eliminating his competition with his knowledge of ninjutsu, while Water was fighting using knowledge he gained in gymnastics. The Earth Terra Guardian and Serpentor were matching blow per blow, neither one giving ground to the other.

After receiving a massive blow to the chest, which threw it a good ten feet, the warthog creature squealed and a mean looking chain mace appeared in its hand.

“Hey!!! That’s not fair!” Fire Terra Guardian shouted.

The creature charged.

“Guardians,” Faramir’s voice sounded in their heads. “It is time to make use of your weapons. Alejandro summon your Lava Blade.”

Fire Terra Guardian extended his right arm to his side. “Lava Blade!”. A long sword, with a coppery hilt appeared in his right hand. The blade of the sword appears to be like molten lava. Heat is emanating from it.

He charged the creature, catching a downward stroke of the mace with the sword.

“Steve, use your Void Daggers.”

Void Terra Guardian leapt from the podlings. While still in flight, he extended both arms. “Void Daggers!” A pair of short-swords, with silvery hilts appeared on each hand. The blades of the short-swords appear to be made of darkness, it does not reflect light like ordinary metals.

Upon landing, he slashed at two nearby podlings, causing them to vanish.

“Troa, summon your Tidal Staff.”

The Water Terra Guardian back flipped from his opponents. “Tidal Staff!” A quarter-staff materialized in his hands. The staff gives the impression that water is constantly running through its length. But far from its appearance, the staff has a solid metallic feel to it.

Using the staff, he vaulted into the middle of a group of podlings, twirling the staff as he landed. Each Podling struck by the staff was sent flying into a graceful arc, vanishing upon hitting the ground.

“Pietro, use your Diamond Claws.”

Before the Earth Terra Guardian could summon his weapon, Serpentor’s tail latched on to his leg, and he was sent flying to a nearby establishment. Using his training in self-defense, he twisted his body in mid-flight so as to land feet first on the establishment’s wall. From there, he launched himself back at Serpentor.

“Diamond Claws!” Earth Terra Guardian called out, as he launched himself from the wall. A set of three sharp, crystalline blades, about a foot-long each appeared on the backs of each hand (picture Wolverine of X-Men™ fame).

Serpentor tried to dodge the incoming Terra Guardian, but at the last moment, the Earth Terra Guardian extended his right arm, the blades slicing through the armor. Serpentor hissed in pain.

“You ssshall pay for thisss, human” he angrily hissed.

He took a step towards the Earth Terra Guardian, when a black gooey liquid seeped out of the cuts in his armor. Serpentor hissed in frustration. “Bristleback! Finish them!” he ordered, as he vanished in a puff of sulfuric smoke.

The warthog grunted in response.

As the last of the podlings vanished, the Void and Water Terra Guardian ran to help their friend in red.

The four Guardians surrounded Bristleback. All four charged simultaneously. Bristleback met the attack of the Fire Terra Guardian. While a barrage of sharp bristles from the monster’s hairy back met the other three. The bristles exploded when it made contact with the Guardians’ suit, causing them to be knocked to the ground

Fire Terra Guardian deftly parried the mace, while delivering a vicious slash to Bristleback across the chest. “Time to end this...” he said to his teammates.

The other three nodded as they were picking themselves up.

Void Terra Guardian went first. “Shadow Bind!!!” He threw his short-swords at Bristleback’s shadow immobilizing the creature.

Earth Terra Guardian followed suit. “Earth Spike!!!” He plunged his claws into the ground and a crystalline spike rose from the ground below Bristleback, impaling him.

Water Terra Guardian went next. “Tidal Harpoon!!!” A blast of water issued forth from one end of the Tidal Staff.

“Volcano Blast!!!” Fire Terra Guardian called out. A fireball erupted from the tip of his Lava Blade and streaked towards Bristleback.

The Volcano Blast and Tidal Harpoon flew towards the flinching creature. About halfway through, the two attacks intertwined with one another, changing into energy in the process. The energy ball struck Bristleback, and he vanished in an explosion.

Before anyone can utter a word, the four heroes were engulfed in a white aura. When the light vanished so did the heroes.

When they re-materialized, they found themselves back at the Sanctuary, Faramir looking at them with pride. The four powered down.

“Well done, children...” he praised the group. “But that confrontation is only the beginning of a war. A war that will determine the fate of the Earth and her inhabitants. Are you up to it?” he threw the question at the four.

The four looked at one another. After a few seconds, they all nodded.

Steve was the first to speak. “You still haven’t told us why, of all people, we were the ones you chose.”

“And what they plan on doing to my girlfriend…” Troa added.

“Very well… I shall tell you the tale long forgotten, about the ancient evil that has now awakened and is bent on domination… The story is a rather personal one…” Faramir said with a distant look in his eyes.

The others were silent. Anticipating the start of Faramir’s tale.

“But that will be for later… Now you must go back to High Grove, for dawn is approaching. You still have learning to attend to...”

Before the four could utter a single word of protest, they were engulfed in the now all too familiar white glow.



==========

Comments to better improve the fiction is highly encouraged, and much appreciated...

[DarkStarShadow]

Oh man...the morphing sequences were stellar. I felt like I was actually watching them. However, I must mention that you go back and forth between past and present tense, and it does become a tad bit annoying. But other than that, this's awesome.