The World Guardian: Book Zero

The Crystal Kingdom Arc-

Written, Created and Illustrated by XJD

Chapter 1: Welcome to the Crystal Kingdom

[Narrator]: Welcome... To Planet Eternia... This beautiful, vast world is home to many unique civilizations that are inhabited by a variety of different species that coexist with each other in its delicate, diverse and intricate ecosystem...

[Narrator]: However, the beginning of our story takes place way up high above the surface of the planet... So far up, that it reaches past the stratosphere and rest suspended in outer space slowly orbiting Planet Eternia.

[Narrator]: This is the Crystal Kingdom: Xeria; it is a massive castle town that is completely powered by advanced technology found nowhere else on the planet by the use of crystals that provide its citizens a plethora of potential uses, such as warmth by manipulating fire, the ability to flow clean water, circulate cool air and oxygen, and even generate electricity for their machines and homes. The people of the beautiful and illustrious Crystal Kingdom have lived peacefully under the rule and protection of their King and Queen for the last fifteen years... But today... Is just one of those days…

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: Main City- Shopping Plaza)

(Scene: Baku, Barrtio, Finn, and Millia are being chased through the busy, crystal lit streets by an enraged Comic Shop Owner)

[Comic Shop Owner]: *Shouting loudly* YOU DAMN BASTARDS!!! GET BACK HERE WITH ALL THAT MANGA, YOU ROTTEN THIEVES!!!

[Barrtio]: *Running* Damn it! What happened to my plan!? It was perfect! What did you idiots do!?

[Finn]: *Panting* Oh, of course you would blame the fat guy! Well it wasn't my fault this time!

[Millia Grendar]: *Running* You moron, no one blamed you for being fat! But it was probably your big bulging gut that knocked over the glass case with the alarm on it in the first place!

[Finn]: So you are blaming the fat guy!

[Millia Grendar]: I AM NOW YOU FAT IDIOT!

[Baku]: *Laughing* Hahaha! You guys are all idiots!

[Narrator]: This ecstatic young lad is Aventurine X. Baku. He is 14 years old, hates when people call him by his first name, and will be the main focus for the story that will soon unfold. For now, let's just call him Baku.

[Finn]: *pant* *pant* … Alright, now that we all agree it's my fault, what the escape plan!?

[Barrtio]: Split up and meet up at the secret hideout later! That fat ass can't possibly chase all of us!

[Baku]: Good plan man! C'mon, Millia!

[Millia Grendar]: *Giggling* Okay, Baku!

[Comic Shop Owner]: What the hell!? They're splitting up! THOSE JERKS! I SWEAR TO THE FREAKIN’ GODDESS, YOU WON’T GET AWAY WITH THIS!!!

*Baku and Millia split from Barrtio and Finn for the time being. Baku takes the young girl with pink hair who was wearing a hoodie that seemed couple of sizes too big for her, and they run into a crowd of shopping denizens. The townspeople were too busy with their own daily lives, to notice the kids carrying a horde of comic books.

*The boy with bright green eyes wearing patched and tattered clothes leads Millia, as they traverse the back alleys of the Main City sector of the Crystal Kingdom. They weaved in between the tall buildings that were all connected to each other composing of homes, apartments, and businesses of the common man.

*It was here that the free market thrived. Textiles, fruits and vegetables, cattle along with livestock like chickens and sheep, as well as other rare and valuable resources like iron and crystals that were mined out of the mountains are always being sold here for those looking for a bargain or a huge sale.

*At last, the two rapscallions finally make their way to the southern gate that marks one of the four entrances and exits to the kingdom. What awaits them is the far stretching Crystal Fields, that expands outside of the grand walls of Xeria for miles and miles, in all directions.

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: Crystal Fields- Secret Hideout)

(Scene: Baku, Barrtio, Finn, and Millia are seen playing video games and watching anime. They lounged in a small, secluded shack with bean bags and a television monitor. There is junk food and magazines of nerd culture messily scattered about)

[Barrtio]: *button mashing* I got you now, you little shit!

[Baku]: Hell no, dude! Here comes my SUPER SPECIAL ATTACK! HAAA!

[Barrtio]: *Shouting* AW CRAP!

[Millia Grendar]: *Grrr* *Shouting angrily* Would you guys shut the hell up!?

[Finn]: Yeah! We're trying to watch the final episode of “Starlight Princess Dreaming Excellence” over here!

[Baku]: Dude, how many times do I have to tell you. That stupid cartoon has so many freakin’ plot holes in it!

[Finn]: No it doesn't! It has 700 episodes of glory and it’s not a cartoon, damn it!

[Baku]: *Smugly* Okay sure, buddy. Your precious anime has 700 episodes of fanservice and glory holes.

[Barrtio]: Hahaaa! Oooh shit! *High fives Baku*

[Baku]: I swear, nobody saw that the stupid girl’s dad was the king the whole time and everybody loses their minds at the big reveal. Meanwhile, I saw that coming from episode 3.

[Millia Grendar]: That's not the point, Baku! The whole journey was all about friendship and love! How can you not see that!?

[Baku]: All I see is perverted grown men watching anime meant for little girls. Seriously, dude, Shounen manga characters and comic book superheroes have become so lazy and cliched, and influenced by the media to cater to everyone's feelings, that the stories aren't even remotely good.

[Barrtio]: You said it, broman!

[Baku]: *Confidentally* Don't worry guys, I'll make an anime and manga that shits on Hentai Princess Rainbow Harem for you all to enjoy! Then, we'll all be rich! No more problems and no more tricks!

[Finn]: Good luck with that, dude! You got a big fandom to compete with!

[Baku]: You know, for some reason I'm not afraid of basement dwellers…

[Barrtio]: Ah damn it! That's fifteen games in a row now!

[Baku]: *Smiling* Well you're certainly getting better, that you are!

[Millia Grendar]: *Sniff* Th- That ending was so... beautiful…

[Finn]: *Snnniiifff* Ye- Yeah... That was all worth the 700 episodes plus filler arcs…

[Barrtio]: Are you morons ready to go? It's getting late!

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: Crystal Fields)

(Scene: Baku splits from his friends and begins his run home through the fields)

[Barrtio, Finn, and Millia]: *Smiling* Goodnight, Baku! See you tomorrow!

[Baku]: *Smiling* See you guys later!

*Baku separates from his friends and runs through the expansive rural field of farmland outside of the Crystal Kingdom. Barns housing cows and horses, along with millhouses and silos are scattered all about the Crystal Fields. Hills and mountains dotted the countryside that surrounds the towering walls of cobblestone and steel separating the farmers and peasants from middle class that live within.

*This is where those who can’t afford to live in the Main City stay. They minded their own business, unbothered by the hustle and bustle of the Crystal Kingdom and lived to work everyday to sustain themselves. Their prayers constant for a bountiful harvest to profit off of what they produce by selling it to the people behind the great barrier. It was far from easy living out here… But the people who did were all good and honest.

*Baku wasn’t personally invested in every single person, but there was one family who he loved like they were related by blood.

*Baku grew up primarily around the Luke’s. Ever since he was born, Mr. Luke was a father-like figure for the young boy. The 41 year-old man with scruffy hair taught him how to herd, become a sort of handyman, and taught him how to ride horseback as young as the age of 6. Mr. Luke had a family of his own, yet somehow, he was always around to help out. Baku was eternally grateful to the man and everything’s he’s done for the young farm boy.

*Mr. Luke had two daughters, Lulu who was the same age as Baku, had long brown pigtails and freckles covered her face. This coupled with her bright blue eyes made her a true belle. Her little sister was named Lucy, she had paler skin compared to her sibling, but her hair was the same color. Her eyes were always full of hope and happiness, as if she couldn’t ask for a better life, despite being born in a farmhouse.

[Mr. Luke]: *Smiling* Yoo-hoo, Baku! Top-of-the-mornin' to ya!

[Baku]: Good day, Mr. Luke, how's it growin'?

[Mr. Luke]: *Cheeringly* We're havin' fried taters t'night! This harvest should last us a week or two! I bet I could fiddle some of 'em in the city for a couple o' gems a pound!

[Baku]: *Smiling* That's good to hear! I hope things keep going well for your family!

*The small girl excitedly approaches Baku as if she couldn't wait to see him today. Her older sister nervously follows her.

[Little Lucy]: *Smiling* Baku! Did you have a good day in the city?

[Baku]: *Smiling* Hi, Lucy! I had a great day in the big city, I went to school and everything! But I'm glad to be back out here right where I belong in the fields!

[Little Lucy]: *Smiling* School must be sooo fun!

[Lulu]: *Twirling hair* *Shyly* Baku, did’ya happen to get those things I asked for in the city? I-I-It's okay if you didn't, I-I wasn't expectin’ you to remember…

[Baku]: Hey, Lulu! Of course I did! I wouldn't forget if you asked me for something.

*Baku hands Lulu a small pouch full of beads and buttons.

[Lulu]: *Smiling* Th-thanks, Baku!

[Little Lucy]: *Cheering* Yay! He got the beads!

[Baku]: Why did you want these anyways, Lulu? You into arts and crafts or something?

[Lulu]: *Blushing* I-It's a dang secret, Baku!

[Mr. Luke]: I'm mighty sorry that ya had to go outta yer way to get those, Baku. With taking care of the farm and maw, I hadn't had any time to actually go into the city to get those for m’girls!

[Baku]: It's totally fine, I don't mind helping out! Hehehe... So, how's Granny doing?

[Mr. Luke]: She's hangin’ in there... Stayin’ inside and relaxin’... I just wish it hadn't taken a doctor so dang long to come out here and see her. Then again, figures as much a city doctor wouldn't jump on a job in the fields. We already don't have the money to have them come out and say "hi", so how could we expect to actually pay for some medicine or treatment?

[Baku]: Yeah... How could they expect that of us…

*Baku disdainfully glances back at the massive castle town that overlooks them casting a shadow on the fields from behind black iron gates. At the very back from where he can see at the top of a large hill is the Crystal Palace, sitting safely behind a second, even larger wall separating the royals from the commoners and the peasants.

[Mr. Luke]: *Smiling* But, as long as we have the Holy Mother watchin' over us, we'll be all fine and dandy! Someday, we'll get blessed with an opportunity to move out of the fields, Granny will get that healing she needs, and my little girls will finally get their educations! I’ll do whatever I can to provide for my family...We just gotta keep workin' hard, savin' money, and keep on prayin'!

[Little Lucy]: *Cheering* Yay! Keep on praying!

[Lulu]: *Smiling* I can't wait to move into a house in the city and start going to school! You’re so lucky to be educated, Baku!

[Baku]: Yep... Educations are important, they get you those things... Welp, I should be heading home now! I'll see you guys later, okay?

[Little Lucy]: *Smiling* Bye bye, Baku!

[Lulu]: Have a great night, Baku!

(Setting: Crystal Fields: Baku's Home- Kitchen Area)

(Scene: Baku enters his small farm home, it consisted of a small kitchen with a stove and fireplace that connected immediately to two seperate bedrooms. Plants and vegetables hung down from the ceiling that was repatched fairly recently)

[Baku]: Mom! I'm home!

[Nicolatrice]: *Smiling* Welcome back, Baku! How was school?

[Baku]: *Sarcastically* Oh, class was just great. We dissected a dead cat today in biology and I found a shiny penny in its gut!

[Nicolatrice]: Aventurine, that sounds oddly specific… Did you "really" go to school today?

[Baku]: *Thinking to himself* Ah crap, she used “that” name? Now she knows I’m lying… *Sigh* Uhm no, I didn’t go to school, Mom... I’m sorry?

[Nicolatrice]: *Smiles softly* It's okay, Baku. I forgive you, because you told the truth in the end. That’s all that matters to me.

[Baku]: *Sigh* You know I just can't stand the environment at that place... Everybody is so toxic at that school... You're either a popular and filthy rich Royal, a nerdy geek that nobody gives a crap about, or a dumbass that bullies the geeks that no one, not even the shit head teachers bothers to do anything about…

[Nicolatrice]: Baku, when did I teach you to ever use that language?

[Baku]: Oh… Sorry, Mom...

[Nicolatrice]: *Smiles softly* So, which one of those mentioned groups do you fit in to, Baku? Are you a nerd or are you a dumby?

[Baku]: Well, I ain't no loser. I'm certainly not a dumbass, and clearly, we're not rich... Speaking of which, who thought it was a good idea to put all of the 3 sections of the entire Crystal Kingdom into one school and thought the learning experience be enhanced in any way possible? It just makes us learn the same stupid crap together...

[Nicolatrice]: Baku, the Crystal King and Queen worked very hard to build a public school for all citizens of the Crystal Kingdom to attend and get the absolute best education anybody could ask for.

[Baku]: It doesn’t seem like they’re working hard to provide healthcare to everyone, because we got an old lady just over the hill who can’t pay for a doctor from the city to see her…

[Nicolatrice]: Somethings just cost money that unfortunately not everybody can afford… However, they are still trying to provide for the people out here… It just takes time, and the Luke’s understand that completely.

[Baku]: I still think it’s crap that those royals get to live in completely luxury, meanwhile we’re struggling to keep the lights on…

*A small heat lamp begins to flicker as the orange glowing crystal inside of it begins to lose energy. Everything in this kingdom is powered by crystals with different properties like heat and warmth. They last for a long time, but when they run out, it cost a pretty penny to recharge it and even more to replace a broken one.

[Nicolatrice]: That’s why it’s important for boys your age to get an education, because don't you know? If you get good grades, you could get a good paying job, and maybe buy a nice house in the Main City or even a manor in the Royal Center!

[Baku]: *Ssiigghh* ... There she goes again with all that...

[Nicolatrice]: *Smiles softly* But no matter what you decide to do, I will always support your decisions. Because I know, without a doubt, you will find success and happiness in your life.

*Nicolatrice says this, her baby blue blouse covered in dirt and cuts, presumably from the farm work she’s been doing all day. Long brunette hair was tied in a bun, to keep the sweat from covering her. Eyes of hazelnut were tired from an arduous and busy day of work so she can provide for the two of them. Baku can’t stand seeing his mother all worn out after a day of him fooling around with his friends.

*Baku is damn lucky his mother doesn’t force him to work like other equally yet less fortunate kids out here in the fields. She lets her son get away with entirely way too much, yet she never ask anything from nor scolds him.

*Nicolatrice never even once grounded or punished him for anything he may have did wrong. She was a blessing who deserved better than what her child has ever shown to be worth.

*All of this perfection was completed by a beautiful golden necklace she always wore that was encrested with small crystals. Everytime Baku asked where she got it, Nicolatrice would reply saying that she was gifted it from a very special friend who she loved very much fifteen years ago. She would always leave it at that, since Baku never met or heard from this friend ever in his life.

[Baku]: … *Sigh* Okay, Mom. Since you think my education is important, and I don't want you to live in this hut forever. How about we cut a deal, and I try to go to school for the rest of the week? Try to find a way to make it work for us? Maybe I could try to get my education for your sake if for nothing else...

[Nicolatrice]: *Smiling* That sounds wonderful, Baku! I would love nothing more than for you to give school another go!

[Baku]: Hehehe, anything to make you happy! So, now that "that's" out of the way, are there any crops that need picking? Do you need help with anything, Mom? How has your day been?

[Nicolatrice]: *Smiling* My day was wonderful, Baku, we made a little bit of money today from our last harvest, and yes, there are corn husk and potatoes that need to be collected for tonight’s dinner!

[Baku]: Alright then, I'll get right to work!

*Baku helps his mother in their farm garden for the remainder of the evening as they talk about many things. They could laugh and chat about anything all day and night if you let them. They are the only ones they have for eachother.

*No aunts or uncles.

*No grandparents or cousins.

*Just a boy and his loving mother. Baku doesn’t question these things. He was content with living in the fields with his mother forever.