Chapter 34: The Training Simulator

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: Royal Palace- Virtuareal Training Simulation Room)

(Scene: Baku and the Prince appear in a sort of training facility within the Royal Palace)

*Baku and Majorku enter a large, colorless and spacious room with a computer keyboard in the center with a large screen displaying data of some sort.

[Baku Cree]: Where are we?

[Prince Majorku]: This is a Virtuareal Training Simulation Room. Its function is to create stages and levels that assist the user in training with a vast number of scenarios allowing them to gain experience and learning skills by adapting to a variety of situations.

[Baku Cree]: Geez... I've read about the kingdom's high tech capabilities... But this is so way cooler…

[Prince Majorku]: You'll be surprised with what the Crystal Kingdom has on the inside, little brother... Anyways, using this system, we are going to be training your Soul Energy.

[Baku Cree]: Soul Energy?

[Prince Majorku]: That's correct, we are going to sync your soul with the Aventurine Crystal around your neck in order to connect with it and harness the powers within.

[Baku Cree]: W-wait, I'm still confused here... What the hell is Soul Energy? Are you talking about magic or something? That sounds really anime, dude…

[Prince Majorku]: Baku, Soul Energy is the force that we of Planet Eternia draw from to acquire abilities and skills that trained heroes and warriors use to defeat our enemies and defend our allies. The connection between our consciousness and the Soul World is what flows the energy to us to be used in our plane of existence and allow us to perform many amazing feats.

[Baku Cree]: Is the Soul World heaven or something? Why haven't I ever heard of it in like school or something?

[Prince Majorku]: The Soul World is separate yet parallel to our own. It houses millions, if not billions, of our each unique and different souls and life forces. It is a dimension that contains the powers of our entire universe in one place to gift us living beings with the breath of life, the power of emotion, and the strength to push ourselves past our limits in order to achieve greatness.

[Prince Majorku]: A lot of people in this world don't have a solid understanding of what it truly is and because of that cannot grasp the idea of surpassing the barriers that make them only mere mortals. But the truth is, that anybody can obtain the power of the gods, if they dedicated themselves to it.

[Baku Cree]: So... Anybody can be a superhero if they trained really hard?

[Prince Majorku]: That's a simplified way of putting it…

[Baku Cree]: And this crystal... This is what will give me my powers?

[Prince Majorku]: Correct. Our training today will allow you to communicate with your crystal by letting it speak to your soul, thereby granting you with energy from the Soul World to use on your journey to protect your friends and slay your enemies. Are you ready to begin?

[Baku Cree]: *Knods* Let's do it!

[Prince Majorku]: Confident today, aren't we? Let's see how far that goes…

*The prince applies energy to a small red crystal on top of the computer console and prepares the challenge as the room suddenly flashes and Baku is transported to a dense prehistoric jungle. Volcanic heat smoldered with black ash that covered the gigantic trees and massive mountains ranging in all directions. It was like he was suddenly warped into the level of a videogame. Except everything felt real.

*His skin was steaming due to the intense heat shooting from the molten core of the earth, releasing a gas that smelt worse than anything Baku has ever exposed himself to. Likely toxic. Baku was instantly washed with sweat and he was breathing so rapidly, unable to figure out how to relax it. So much was happening around him, that the young teen struggled to process his environment. But nothing could've prepared him for what he witnessed next...

[Baku Cree]: *Shocked* H-H-Holy crap! Wh-where the fuck am I!? AND WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!?!?!?

*RRRAAAAAAAWWWRRRR!!!!!

*A ginormous tyrannosaurus rex who dwarfed its surroundings, let out an earth shaking and sound breaking roar that pounds Baku's ear drums to the point of nearly becoming disoriented. When his ears began to stop ringing as bad as they had been, the monstrous creature starts charging toward Baku. But the boy was so overcome with fear that he couldn't move his body.

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* I... I have to run... B-but m-my legs are just... sh-shaking against my will... What kind of bull crap is going on here!? Is that thing... Actually gonna kill me!?

*Finally, as the quaking steps from the giant lizard become greater and more fissuring, Baku gains control of himself. Without thinking, he frantically runs aimlessly through the maze-like jungle trying to avoid the dinosaur with his life. Tripping, tumbling and falling through the tall, thick brush, coarse vines and twisted trees.

*Ground shaking stomps grow louder and louder as the massive beast with copper coloured scales gains on Baku, immensely minimizing the distance between its target with each destructive step, falling the giant vegetation that were in its wake. Suddenly, a hologram screen appears in front of Baku showing an image of Majorku.

[Prince Majorku]: *Bzzzt* Baku, why are you running? You must defeat the dinosaur.

[Baku Cree]: *Frantically screaming* Are you out of your skull!? How can you expect me to fight that beast!?

[Prince Majorku]: *Bzzzt* You'll never gain control of your Soul Energy if you run from your training, Baku... Also, there's a dead end ahead. *Bleep*

[Baku Cree]: *Frantically screaming* WHAT THE HELL!? HOLY CRAP I'M SCREWED!!!

*Baku faces a large wall-like boulder as the dinosaur charges at full speed toward him with wide gaping jaws. Its long tongue sprawled out of its mouth that had rows and rows of endless, razor sharp teeth. The creature closes in on its target whom has nowhere to escape and fear overwhelming his core. The beast prepares for dinner. When suddenly, it disappears in a flurry of light particles, and Baku appears in the simulation training room in a cold sweat, gasping for breath, with Prince Majorku standing at the computer console.

[Prince Majorku]: *Sigh* ... You failed the prehistoric jungle test, Baku.

[Baku Cree]: *Breath Shaking* ... *Gasp* ... H-how the hell... *pant* ... Was I supposed to pass that!?

[Prince Majorku]: You were supposed to fight and defeat the dinosaur, silly. The difficulty was only at level ten…

[Baku Cree]: Wh-what the... I don't even know what that means!

[Prince Majorku]: Each level is designed to be more difficult than the last. This stage of your training is meant to prep you of what kind of challenges to expect on your journey on Planet Eternia.

[Baku Cree]: *Shouting* So you're telling me I have to face giant beast monsters in foot races!?

[Prince Majorku]: *Confused* ...... What are you talking about? Anyways, listen Baku, mastering control of your Soul Energy will allow you to unleash your full potential when you appear on the battlefield of the living planet. It will also help you make fast decisions and increase your reaction time when in a pinch or bind. Now then, we are going to try again at a nice easy level one. That sound good to you?

[Baku Cree]: *Sigh* As long as I'm not being chased by freakin' monsters…

*Prince Majorku sets the difficulty to 1 and starts the simulation. After a bright flash, Baku appears on a mountain cliff overlooking a vast, sparkling ocean sunset and Majorku appears beside him. The sea was turning red and orange like a blended painted canvas, and the sun was hiding behind the clouds creating a veil of purple and pink like sweet cotton candy.

[Baku Cree]: Whoa... This is... nice…

[Prince Majorku]: Sit with me, Baku... It's beautiful isn't it?

[Baku Cree]: Yeah, this is way better than before. So, what are we gonna do here?

[Prince Majorku]: *Menacingly* YOU’RE GONNA JUMP.

[Baku Cree]: *Freaking out* WHAT!?

[Prince Majorku]: *Smiling* I’m just kidding, Baku. We are going to meditate and get you in sync with your soul so that you may commune with it in harmony.

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* ... Sync with my soul…

[Prince Majorku]: Remember, the crystal around your neck is the Aventurine Crystal. Its main ability is to grant the user Weapon Manipulation and Armor Fortification. Since you won't get a weapon until you win the Crystal Dome Games, you'll have to focus on equipping yourself with armor. Now, listen to what I say and do exactly as told... Baku, close your eyes, clear your mind of all doubts and worries of yourself and the future... And listen... Listen to the sounds of the universe and search for your soul.

*Baku attempts to relax himself, and does this for a moment. He tries to clear his mind, but whenever he tries to forget about one of his problems, he remembers another. When he remembers something he doesn't like, he tries to fight it.

[Baku Cree]: ...... *Ugh* ......... I-I don't feel anything......

[Prince Majorku]: Try not to think about it, little brother. Remember, listen, hear, and feel…

[Baku Cree]: *Deeply inhales* ...........................

*Baku continues his meditation and tries to listen to the universe. He can hear the waves crashing against the base of the cliff and then receding back into the wash. A cool breeze swirls around him and then leaves as fast as it came. The chill didn't bother Baku, instead he followed the winds. The combination of sounds from the elements around him bounced off of each other.

*The boy follows where they go off into the distance as far as he can track it. As this happens, he wanders farther beyond and begins to forget about the things that clouded his mind previously. Suddenly, Baku finds he's travelled to a different place from where he started.

*Without realizing it, he was transported deep inside his thoughts and imaginations.

*This is where Baku found himself and everything that was previously hidden away was revealed to him and confronted. His hopes, dreams, fantasies both personal and intimate as well as his deepest fears were faced within this instance. Baku was forced to accept all of these, both good and bad, les he fail to grow as a person and into who he needed to become. The World Guardian.

*When he did, he found his soul, and became became one with it. Absorbing the essence of power into his chest, and radiating it throughout his being. This time, the Aventurine Crystal attached to his mother’s necklace chimes and Baku feels energy flowing through him, that of which, like he's never felt before.

[Baku Cree]: !!! I can hear it now!

[Prince Majorku]: Good. Now listen to the voice of the crystal and understand its words…

[Baku Cree]: .........

*Baku hears it and understands the language it spoke to him. It was one that only Baku knew that he could understand. The voice sounded young, like a child. Pure and innocent, yet strong and bold, like a protector.

[Prince Majorku]: Finally, speak to the crystal. Introduce yourself to it and leave no secrets from it.

[Baku Cree]: ... Okay... *Thinking to himself* ... H-hello? Um, hello little crystal... Uh, how are you today? ... Sorry, I'm a little new to this, meditating thing, but uhhh... My name is Aventurine Xavier Baku, umm, the Cree... I just became royalty recently and received you that same day... On my birthday... I just turned fifteen years old and I guess I'm supposed to save the world... I'm a little nervous, but I'm training with my new older brother so he can help me get in sync with my soul energy... I guess that's where you come in... I need your help, Aventurine Crystal...

[Baku Cree]: Oh, hey, I just realized we have the same name! Looks like we have something in common, hehehe... Anyways, so look, I need to sync with my soul so that I can harness your power in order to fight and defend myself... I know what I need from you, but what would you like from me? Trust me, I'll do anything... I just need your help... Please, I don't want to fail on my journey... The stakes are getting higher and I'm scared of what's to come... But we can change that if we work together! So... how about it? Will you give me your strength so I can succeed? Or at least allow me to prove myself to you?

*Chime!!

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* So, we're cool? Awesome! This is gonna be epic! I can't wait to work with you! Thanks! ... *Excited* Hey, Majorku! I did it! I connected with my soul and the Aventurine Crystal!

[Prince Majorku]: *Smiling* Excellent, I'm very glad for you, Baku... Are you ready to resume your training?

[Baku Cree]: Heck yeah!

*The simulation resets and Baku appears in the white spacious room with the prince.

[Prince Majorku]: The next simulation test will focus on teaching you how to balance your offensive and defensive capabilities with conjunction of your Soul Energy. Are you ready? This is going to be set to level two…

*The room transforms into a large boxing arena with a cheering crowd and flashing lights.

[Baku Cree]: Whoa, what the heck is all this!?

*Ding, Ding. Ding!

[Announcer]: Round one, begin!

*A heavyweight boxing champion enters the ring and approaches Baku ready for round one and starts to attack him launching short jabs to try to intimidate and feel out his opponent. But Baku wants none of it.

[Baku Cree]: *Scared* Wh-what the hell!? Get away from me you massive muscled monster!

*Baku tries to run away from the boxer, but he can't escape the hexagon shaped ring.

[Prince Majorku]: Baku, you must defeat the boxer! Remember, this is only level two!

[Baku Cree]: What the heck is the difficulty scaling of this crazy machine!? *Thinking to himself* Damn it, this guy isn't slowing down! If I don't get out of here soon, I'm gonna get --

*BAM!!!

[Baku Cree]: AAAGGGHHH!!!! ... *Beaten* Uggghhh…

*Baku lands face down on the floor of the ring after taking a right hook to the side of his skull from the boxing champ. His head spinning and his ears ringing like when he heard the roar of the dinosaur. He lays there completely stunned, the boxer waiting for him to recover, shuffling their feet.

[Prince Majorku]: Baku, you have to get back up before the referee announces your defeat! You'll fail the simulation if you don't!

[Baku Cree]: ...... Naaahhh...... I don't wanna... I'm just gonna lay here instead…

[Announcer]: Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven!

*Chime!!

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* ... Huh? What are you going on about, little crystal? ... I can't give up? *Sigh* That guy just knocked my lights out, and he's gonna do it again if I get back up... Hm? What do you mean utilize my Soul Energy? ... *Ugh* ... Okay... I'll give it a shot... I'll need your help with this one though, alright?

[Announcer]: Five! Four! Three!

[Baku Cree]: *panting* ... H-hold on now... *pant* ...I'm gettin' up... This ain't over yet... *breathing heavily* ...I'm still in this, got it pal?

[Prince Majorku]: Remember, focus on your soul energy and harness your crystals power!

[Baku Cree]: Alright!

*Ding! Ding! Ding!

[Announcer]: Round two, begin!

*The heavyweight champ prepares to engage Baku and throws another right hook at him. Baku sees this and focuses on the movement of his opponent and manages to dodge the attack with relative ease almost instinctively. He does this for a multitude of the boxer’s attacks and successfully dodges all of the attacks and the round ends.

[Prince Majorku]: That was a pretty impressive performance of your evasive movements, Baku. But you must also incorporate the Aventurine Crystal's offensive techniques!

[Baku Cree]: ... Okay... *Deeply Inhales* ... *Thinking to himself* Alright little crystal, I need you help... Sync with my soul and allow me to harness your abilities!

*Chime!!

[Baku Cree]: Alright! Grant me fortification! Give my body... Armor!

*Suddenly, a bright flash of light emanates from around Baku and his Soul Energy begins to surge through his body. Shards of green crystals appear and surround Baku covering his limbs. After the light fades away, Baku appears with a large golden gauntlet on his left arm, and a large metal boot on his right foot.

[Baku Cree]: *Struggling* Ugh!!! Ugh... Wh-what the hell is this!? This isn't what I wanted! This crap is all just dumb heavy! I can freakin' barely move!

*Ding! Ding! Ding!

[Announcer]: Round three, begin!

[Baku Cree]: *Struggling* A-ah crap!

*Baku tries to avoid the boxer by frantically dragging his heavy gear across the ring struggling to avoid his enemy’s attacks.

[Prince Majorku]: You have to balance your offense and defense, Baku! You have to focus and communicate with your soul!

[Baku Cree]: *Struggling* Ugh... I-I thought I did, I could've sworn I made it clear as to what I needed... *Sigh* Fine, I'll try again... *Thinking to himself* Aventurine Crystal, please... I need your help... I need balance... Grant me the strength to defeat my enemy, please!

*Chime!!

*The metal boot disappears in a flash of light and is replaced with a second gauntlet on his opposite arm and the set feels lighter on him.

[Baku Cree]: *Excited* Alright, that's better!

[Prince Majorku]: *Thinking to himself* So he's successfully completed the gauntlet set... It took him a while, but I think he understands what it takes to grasp a hold of his Soul Energy... How will he do with this newfound strength?

*Baku prepares to face the boxer. The champ approaches him and gets ready to strike him with a straight left; however, Baku defends himself by raising his gauntlets to cover his face and upper body. Suddenly, Baku begins to fight back and tries to throw punches at the boxer. But the champ is fast on his feet, bobbing and weaving. The crowd continues to cheer loudly as the two fighters continue to throw blows at each other.

[Baku Cree]: ... *pant* ... *pant* ... *Thinking to himself* Geez, I feel like this has been going on forever... I'm tired as shit, and this guy doesn't look fazed at all... Damn it, I'm still burning through my energy, I don't understand how I'm supposed to conserve myself if the fights are going to last this long... I'm getting drained…

[Prince Majorku]: Baku, use your Soul Energy to find the boxers weak point!

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* How am I supposed to do that? Hm... I think I have an idea…

*The boxer approaches him to launch an attack, but Baku focuses his Soul Energy to track his foes movements. Baku swiftly dodges the attack by quickly ducking and notices the boxers motion left his chest open. There appears a radiant source of energy revealed to Baku in the middle of the boxers chest.

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* There's an opening! This is it!

*Baku lands a rising strike upon the center of the boxer’s chest, sending him flying across the ring with the use of his newfound ability.

*SMASH!!!

*THUD!

*The boxer is unable to get back up after taking the powerful hit from Baku’s golden gauntlets.

*Ding! Ding! Ding!

[Announcer]: We have a winner!!!

[Crowd]: *Cheering loudly*

[Baku Cree]: *Excited* Alright! I did it! I beat the --

*A bright flash of light suddenly ends the simulation test as Baku and the Prince reappear in the white room.

[Prince Majorku]: Congratulations on passing level two... Are you ready for the next?

[Baku Cree]: *Excited* Hit me with your best shot! I got powers now!

[Prince Majorku]: *Hmph* Very well then…

*Prince Majorku starts the next simulation. After a bright flash of light, Baku reappears in the prehistoric jungle again.

[Baku Cree]: *Ugh* Geez, level ten again? I thought I just finished level two... What's Majorku's problem? The guys crazy and apparently doesn’t know how to count... Wait a minute... Isn't there supposed to be a dinosaur somewhere around here?

*Baku cautiously explores the jungle awaiting for the beast to appear but nothing happens for a while as he traverses through the thick and climbs up the bumpy and rocky hills of the vast area of burning gas.

[Baku Cree]: Hm... Well this is strange... *Sigh* Welp, since I have some peace and quiet, perhaps I could take the time to meditate and focus on my syncing with my Soul Energy and crystal…

*Baku sits on a smooth round boulder and begins to meditate with his soul as he waits for the dinosaur to show up.

[Baku Cree]: ... *Deeply inhales* ... *Thinking to himself* ... Okay, so in the last level, for some reason, I accidentally created one heavy gauntlet and one heavy metal boot... It dragged down my body, causing my speed to fail drastically... But when I took the time to focus my Soul Energy, my Aventurine crystal responded in a way that worked everything out on its own up until the end... My gauntlets were much lighter and I was moving way more swiftly...

[Baku Cree]: I was even able to see the boxers Soul Energy by allowing myself to search for it, allowing me to find his weak point... So, if I can continue to do that, I'll be able to find the weak points of all of my enemies based on their Soul Energy, right? I hope it works like that, I guess I'll have to try it out here... Also, I have to figure out a way to more effectively fortify my body so that I can equip myself with what I need whenever I need it without fault or flaws…

*Chime!!

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* Hehe... Looks like we figured something out! This is gonna be great! Hm? Looks like we have company…

*The large dinosaur finally appears and fiercely approaches Baku. It flashed its razor sharp jaws at him, presenting its challenge.

[Baku Cree]: *Confidently* You look real, but I now understand that you’re just an assortment of bright lights! Which means I'm in no real danger! So, how about we have a rematch!?

*Grrrr!!! RRRAAAAAWWWRRRR!!!!!

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* Alright here goes... First let me see if this creature has any Soul Energy... *Deeply Inhales* ......... I see it! I know where your weak point is! Okay, little crystal, give me your energy! Grant me the armor I need to defeat my enemy!

*A bright flash of light emanates from around Baku and his Soul Energy begins to surge through his body. Shards of green crystals appear and surround Baku covering his limbs. After the light fades away, Baku appears with a pair large golden metal boots.

[Baku Cree]: Alright, let's go!

*The dinosaur begins to chase Baku as he quickly dashes through the jungle away from it. A screen appears with an image of Majorku in it.

[Prince Majorku]: *Bzzt* So, what's your plan, Baku?

[Baku Cree]: *Running* I don't really know yet, but I'll think of something soon... enough…

[Prince Majorku]: *Bzzt* Well, I can't wait to see what you end up doing... Good luck... *Bleep*

*As the dinosaur continues to charge after Baku, a familiar dead end appears over the horizon.

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* I remember this from last time... Before, I was screwed... But this go around, I have an idea... I just hope it works... No wait, I know it will work! I've already had a taste of what I can do. So I just have to believe that I can. Which I do! So here goes nothing!

*Baku sprints toward the rock wall and intensely focuses his Soul Energy to his feet and without even thinking, instinctively begins to run up the side of the wall with the use of his metal boots. Before he realizes what in the world he's doing, he quickly then jumps off the rock wall and uses all of his force to land a heavy falling blow onto the skull of the dinosaur with the power of his golden metal boots which takes it out with one powerful blow.

*CRASH!!!

*The dinosaur lays defeated on the ground as Baku appears cheering on top of its smashed skull.

[Baku Cree]: *Surprised* H-Holy crap! I have powers! I HAVE FREAKIN' POWERS! *Cheering Loudly* Haha!!! I did it! I totally rocked you! Did you like that, you big ugly gal!? I sure did! I'm gonna be so kickass! Hahaha!!!

*The simulation ends with a bright flash of light and Prince Majorku reappears with Baku in the white room.

[Prince Majorku]: That was quite impressive, Baku... I congratulate your strategizing, and I think you are learning more and more quickly as we go on.

[Baku Cree]: *Confidently* Hehe, thanks bro! Can we do another level? I wanna see how far I can go in the simulator!

[Prince Majorku]: *Smiling* We will pick up on your training again tomorrow. For now, go get washed up and prepare for your studying.

[Baku Cree]: Alright then, I'll see you later!