EVERYONE: The Crystals of Telasa (Crossover, Episode 2)

[LightningTopaz]

Taking a crack with another fantastic world, which came about as a joint project with a friend on DeviantArt. It's mainly Pokemon, but characters and places from other fantasy games and animes do appear on the way.

Rated E10+ for fantasy violence and frightning images

The Contents

Prologue
Episode 1: "The free spirited ranger, Misty!"
Episode 2: "Untold wealth? The singing samurai!"
Episode 3: "The guardian of the cave! Ash's worry!"
Episode 4: "Scatter your chilly sharp blades! The heroic mage, Dawn!"
Episode 5: "The city in danger? The minstrel's true form!"

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: The Crystals of Telasa (Crossover, Prologue)

In the far away world of Telasa, one unique aspect of magic is the ability to freely shift between what is known as "heroic forms." Believed to be spirits of past heroes, heroic forms manifest in a person's heart if the gods believe that person displays a certain virtue, such as bravery, respect, or wisdom, to name a few. More heroic forms may manifest during the person's life, but many in Telasa are content with just one heroic form--or no heroic form at all.

To shift between heroic forms, all a person has to do is call an incantation for the form they want to shift to and snap. The process is painless, and takes only a few seconds.

The most number of heroic forms a person usually has in their heart is three--shifting forms does make someone fatigued, and if done too often between too many forms, the person will exhaust themselves to the brink of death. There have been heroes that could shift between more than three forms, but they are very rare. Armored warriors such as magic knights and paladins have a "fourth form"--they can shift between a lighter outfit and their full armor in needed.

Our story focuses on Ash, a young magic knight of the kingdom of Renfall, and his journey to unite eight crystals sacred to the gods, discover the other heroic forms that lie dormant in his own heart, and ultimately learn what it really means to be a hero....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: The Crystals of Telasa (Crossover, Prologue)

Episode 1: The free spirited ranger, Misty!


The morning sun peeked through the treetops of Renfall Forest, illuminating the orange haired girl walking on the forest path. She looked no different from other rangers in her maroon tunic with some sparkling gold trim that resembled ivy. Some thick leggings and a pair of black flats protected her legs and feet from the brambles, briars, and the occassional Pokemon of the underbrush. The morning breeze rippled the sienna cloak on the girl's back, making the silver arrow-like design that adorned it sparkle in the sun. The cloak also served to conceal a large willow bow and a full quiver of arrows. She was never without the beautiful weapon, just in case she ran into Mightyenas, Ursarings, or worse, a herd of Banbarows or other fearsome beasts.

She finally stopped to rest by a rock that overlooked a trickling stream. She knew this area of the woods well--Ninetales often made their dens here, and one that was particularly dear to her heart often roamed by the stream.

The Ninetales had been found wounded by the stream the year prior, and she had done what she could to nurse it back to health. She had named the Ninetales Inari, in honor of the Ninetales that served as a trickster in minstrel's tales. The Ninetales had proved to be as hardy as her namesake. Ever since then, she considered Inari a companion, as she would often join her whenever she stopped to rest by the stream.

A familiar bark got her attention as she traced her finger in the moss growing on the rock. "There you are!" she smiled as a Ninetales bounded into the brush, a lifeless Buneary in its jaws. "You brought that for me, Inari? But I've already eaten..." she confessed as she stroked the Ninetales' pale yellow fur. The Ninetales just set its catch on the ground and nudged it before the girl. "You insist? Okay." The girl looked around for a moment, but only found a few twigs on the ground. "Wait there, I'll go get some wood for a fire." The Ninetales nodded, and watched as her human friend sprinted away into the forest.

It did not take long for the campfire to be made, and before long, the Buneary was roasting on a makshift spit over the flickering flames. "Thank you so much, Inari." the girl smiled. "I was planning to eat when I got to town to see my friend..."

The Ninetales whined, curious as to who this other friend was. "Oh, Inari, you're still my friend, but I need friends of my own kind too." Inari seemed to accept that answer, and started nibbling at her share of the meat. "He's a knight that keeps watch over the city. We often go adventuring too." the girl went on as she finished her share of the meat and extinguished the campfire. "I'd love for you to meet him one day..."

<i>Meanwhile, in Renfall Castle...</i>

A black haired boy sighed as he slowly trudged across the stone ramparts for what seemed like the millionth time that morning. He wasn't sure how many times he had already walked the ramparts, but nothing catastrophic had befallen Renfall in the last hour, and it didn't look likely anything would happen in the next two hours of his watch. Granted, that was how it was supposed to be, but the boy secretly wished that something--<i>anything</i>--would happen. <i>Even cleaning the stables would be more entertaining than patrol duty.</i> he thought.

<i>Every day, sing a song, to help me sail along...</i> he softly sang to himself as he began a trip back across the ramparts, the sun making a path of silver and red from the trim of his dull red tunic and the suit of red mail beneath it. <i>Tura lura lura lura lay, and I'll be on my way...</i> That was the only part of "The Star Knight's Song" he knew, usually because by the time he could get close to hear a minstrel sing the song, they would be singing the chorus for the final time.

Just then, he heard what he thought was a Taillow's whistle from below. "Who goes there?" he called.

A familiar giggle met his call. "It's only me, Ash..."

Ash heaved a sigh when he saw the familiar orange haired ranger looking up at him. "What brings you here to the castle?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to go exploring the Cave of No Return with me." Misty mused as she toyed with the blue ribbon in her hair. "I hear there's treasure in there...

"I'm not due to be relieved from my post for another couple of hours." Ash began. "That, and there's a reason why the Cave of No Return is named as such. Those that go in there, often don't come out."

"I know that, but I still want to go inside."

"But I can't leave my post!"

Misty sighed. <i>Quick, Misty--what is the only acceptable reason a magic knight on patrol can leave their post?</i> Her eyes brightened when the answer came to her a moment later. "If Captain Hikaru asks you why you left your post, you can say a ranger came for you asking for help slaying a dragon--or something!"

A smile crept across Ash's face. "Well played, Misty--and to further add credence to my ruse, I could present Captain Hikaru with a scale from the dragon--or whatever monster we end up slaying. She'll probably want proof of my ruse, and what better proof than a battle trophy?"

"That's the spirit!" Misty smiled as she turned to leave. "If you haven't eaten yet, we can see if there's any minstrels in the Golden Lion before we go. I'll meet you there!"

"Okay!" Ash hurried back inside the castle, through the gatehouse, and all the way back to his quarters, where a wide brimmed hat with a gold band hung by the entryway and a red leather scabbard was propped by the doorframe, its sword inside. <i>Shining Lady, please don't let Captain Hikaru or my fellow knights know I've left my post!</i> he silently prayed as he set the sword by his side; making its gold moon shaped guard and the rubies in the grip glitter. After taking his traveling hat down from the hook by the door and making sure his quarters were in order, he departed as quick as he could out of the castle walls--and thankfully without anyone noticing!

<b>To Be Continued....</b>

 

[Donyor]

Re: The Crystals of Telasa (Crossover, Prologue)

Sounds cool!

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: The Crystals of Telasa (Crossover, Prologue)

Thank you!

Remember the song Ash was singing--it will be important later

 

[Tophat Dragoneye]

Re: The Crystals of Telasa (Crossover, Prologue)

I usually don't read anything related to the anime, but this was an interesting crossover, so I'll subscribe to this fic for future reading if you don't mind

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: The Crystals of Telasa (Crossover, Prologue)

So far, I've introduced Toriko and Magic Knight Rayearth as crosses, but Card Captor Sakura and The Slayers will be playing roles in this world's lore

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: The Crystals of Telasa (Crossover, Prologue)

Episode 2: "Untold wealth? The singing samurai!"


The morning sun was high over Renfall when Ash and Misty arrived in the town square. The calls of the merchants in the nearby market district and the laughter of children playing filled the air. After taking a moment to savor the bustle, Ash motioned for Misty to follow him towards a large building at the eastern corner of the square.

Misty smiled as she heard a young man's voice coming from inside. "Just as I thought--the Golden Lion welcomes a minstrel to her table today."

"And whoever trained him, he sounds pretty good!" Ash agreed as they discreetly made their way inside. A crowd was already present, applauding a young man with brown hair and tan skin.

"Thank you..." the minstrel acknowledged the crowd as he collected a few silver coins that went flying into the harp case sitting on a chair. "Is there anyone with a suggestion for a tale or a tune?"

Ash was about to call a suggestion when one of the maids called "Tell of how Archmage Lina smote the fallen mage!"

"Very well, my lady--hear now 'Smiting the Fallen Mage'." the minstrel began before taking a silver harp with gold inlaywork in his arms.

"That's a beautiful instrument..." Misty commented as the calm, yet tense introduction flowed from the minstrel's fingers. Ash said nothing--he had not heard much of the Second Slayer Cycle, and he had not heard this song before.

<i>The tome of ultimate magic, said to be hidden by the gods..</i> the minstrel began, his strong and melodic tenor filling the room. <i>A mystery priest in the atlas city, and legendary beasts run wild and free.
It made for such a compelling mystery.
So the great archmage, Lina--the Legendary Archmage Lina, came to the jail in search of leads or clues.

The two mages that were accused did blame the other in turn.
The golem man was confident they were not the ones to blame.
The Lady of Justice did agree--"Summoning requires great skill!"</i> Ash smirked, bemused in the minstrel's uncanny mimic of a young girl's voice.

<i>"But if it wasn't them," said Lina,
Wondrous archmage Lina,
"Then who called these beasts to life?"

Just then, she was struck by a frying pan, and she cast a flaming arrow in rage.
But as the warrior held Lina down, the two mages did say
"Although we know not how to summon, our lord Halciform has such power."</i> Murmurs went up from the crowd.

"Makes sense--leaders of mage's guilds often have great power." Ash mused over the harp's interlude.

<i>This has to be a plot of his to get us both betrayed...</i> the minstrel went on. <i>He was banished from the guild--no, the city--and no one knows where he is now.
As the years have come and the years have gone, he did rule with an iron fist.
And has also been researching, how to become like a god.</i>

"No way!" Misty was shocked at the story's somber turn. "You mean he was searching for immortality?"

"That's forbidden to everyone that studies the magical arts!" Ash added. "Mage, magic knight, cleric, whatever branch you study...all are forbidden from seeking immortality!"

A soft chord brought them back to attention. <i>The allegations grew more sordid, as the mages told of rumors
That their leader was using people, in his quest to become a god.
People began disappearing, just how many, no one knew.
So the mages cast Halciform from the guild, and banished him for all time.

The party agreed that the chaos in town, was a form of a mage's revenge.
The Lady of Justice then decreed that Halciform needed to be slain
To atone for all the suffering and the despair he had caused...</i>

A hiss snapped Ash from the tale. "Hey, Ash..." Misty whispered as a maid brought her some savory pastries. "Notice the headband the minstrel's wearing?"

"What about it?" Ash asked as he looked the minstrel's ornate costume up and down, admiring the purple, red and green tunic with gold trim. Some purple and gold shoes and navy leggings completed the look, but then he spotted the black headband that looked out of place on the colorful outfit. "No minstrel would wear a headband--I've always seen them with plumed hats, if they wear any headgear at all."

"There is an explanation--samurai and fighters wear them, so it's possible that this minstrel is a samurai or fighter in his true form." Misty explained.

Ash was about to argue his own theory when he heard the harp's final chord and applause. <i>Great, our discussion caused me to miss the story!</i> "I suppose you're wanting to try and get this minstrel to shift?"

"I would never intentionally provoke someone--you never know if someone so meek as a child is really a warrior." Misty replied

"Or if a minstrel is really a fighter." Ash smiled before calling to the minstrel "Sing of how Ryoshi slew the Grand Qwilfish!"

"Very well, sir knight..." the minstrel smiled before singing again. <i>Ten years had passed since the Grand Qwilfish did appear.
With the cycle close to an end, Ryoshi's choice was clear.
He would capture the fish of myth,
brave its barbs and poison spines....</i>

<b>To Be Continued...</b>