Chapter 36: Progress?

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

(Scene: Baku appears training in the simulator)

*The next day, Baku finds himself in a forested camp site at night. There were makeshift tents held up with sticks and animal skins. Bones were messily scattered about the area, that hosted a bonfire going that was slow roasting a fat and juicy pig. However, the young warrior was not visiting for dinner...

*SMASH! *CRASH! *BASH!

[Goblin]: *urrgghh* ... *collapses*

[Group of Goblins]: *Nervous* *Uuhhh* ... ??? ... *Shaking*

[Baku Cree]: *Confidently* Hehe, you guys want some of this!?

[Group of Goblins]: *Scared* Uugghh... Uuaaww!!

*The group of goblins try to run away.

[Baku Cree]: *Shouting* Get back here!

*BAM! *BASH! *CRUSH!

[Group of Goblins]: *laying defeated* Uuurrrgghhh…

[Baku Cree]: *Tch* Geez, that was only level seven? C'mon, three more of these and then I'm back at the dang dinosaur! Let's just skip ahead and throw me into level fifteen!

*A flash of light particles returns Baku to the white room where he meets Prince Majorku who was controlling the computer system.

[Prince Majorku]: Don't get ahead of yourself, Baku. You still have a lot to learn before you're able to challenge advanced levels... Remember, the levels grow more difficult the higher you go.

[Baku Cree]: But the Crystal Dome Games are coming in two weeks, and if I keep fighting off these jobbers, I'm never going to get stronger. I need to train on higher levels to gain more experience. It's just videogame logic, bro! Or do you not play those? Besides, you had me start out on level ten yesterday, remember!?

[Prince Majorku]: That's because it was funny. Listen Baku, I know what you mean, but you have to understand that you must gain complete mastery and control of your Soul Energy before attempting to overstep your boundaries. It is unsafe and ultimately foolish to try to climb high mountains without properly preparing yourself with the right number of tools, equipment and training.

[Baku Cree]: Wait, what did you-- ... *Sigh* ... Okay, well, I feel like I'm pretty competent with creating my gauntlets and boots.

[Prince Majorku]: Are you sure? Because as far as I've seen from you, you've only managed to create either pair separately. You have yet to attempt to conjure both pairs of armors at the same time. Also, you haven't even tried to actually equip yourself with body armor. All you do to complete your challenges is beating everything to death with your fist and boots. Why don't you try to equip yourself with different armors...? You know, like the second half of your crystals power?

[Baku Cree]: Fine, then let’s do some simulations where I need to prioritize my defenses.

[Prince Majorku]: *Mockingly* But what if you get a boo boo?

[Baku Cree]: Hit me with your best shot, I've taken beatings from all sorts of different people I know. I'll tank whatever you throw at me!

[Prince Majorku]: Oh, will you now? Okay, let's see how well you last, as I raise the intensity of the damage you take.

*Majorku starts the simulation. After a bright flash of light, Baku appears in an enclosed cage-like entrapment held up in the sky by a very long chain that seemed to go on forever. Clouds and high, chilling winds surrounded him, as a giant sun hung from above.

[Baku Cree]: What the hell is this? Am I trapped or something?

*Suddenly, a digital timer appears in front of Baku and starts counting down from 15 minutes.

[Baku Cree]: What does that mean? Probably something stupid... So what am I supposed to do here? I thought I was supposed to work on my defensiveness.

*Tweet! *Tweet! *Tweet! *Tweet!

[Baku Cree]: *Confused* Are those... birds?

*A flock of small birds begin to swarm and surround the suspended cage.

[Baku Cree]: What the heck is going on here? *Ugh* Wh-what the hell!? G-get off of me!

*The flock of birds begin to attack and peck at Baku as he tries to swat and bat the creatures away. Attempting to escape but there's no exit found within the cage causing him to only run around in circles.

[Baku Cree]: *Struggling* Damn it, this is annoying! I can't focus my Soul Energy because of these freakin' birds!

*The timer counts down to 10 minutes.

[Baku Cree]: *Ugh* ... Am I supposed to last until the time runs out? This isn’t challenging, it’s just ridiculously stupid!

*Suddenly, the flock of small birds fly away and leave the cage.

[Baku Cree]: *Gasp* ... *pant* ... D-damn it... That was... bullshit... I still don't know how to create body armor with my Aventurine Crystal... I'm not sure if it works the same as creating my gauntlets and boots... But what if it is? Geez, this sucks, and I still have ten minutes left... I need to figure this out now... *Deeply inhales* .........

*Caaaw! *Caaaw! *Caaaw! *Caaaw! *Caaaw!

[Baku Cree]: !!! *Ugh* Now what!? Huh!? Wh-What the freakin' crap!?

*A large flock of buzzards and vultures come soaring towards Baku.

[Baku Cree]: *Scared* N-no way... I'm not gonna survive this! Not for ten minutes, at least... But damn it, I'll die tryin'!

*Baku spawns a pair of golden gauntlets.

[Baku Cree]: BRING IT ON!!!

*The group of large birds swarm upon Baku viciously as he attempts to fight them off.

[Baku Cree]: *Shouting* Take this!

*SMASH! BASH!

*Caaaw! *Caaaw!

[Baku Cree]: *Screams* Uuaagghh!!

*The large birds begin to slash and tear at Baku using their large talons.

[Baku Cree]: *Shouting* Back off, damn it!

*Baku continues to strike the creatures, using his golden gauntlets landing hard punches to the beaks of the winged creatures. However, the numbers are still strong and seem unending as they surround the young teen, lifting him into the air, attacking viciously and dropping their prey hard onto the metal surface of the floating cage. Baku begins to grow tired as the fighting continues, his body damaged and torn up with cuts and slashes.

[Baku Cree]: *pant* ... *pant* ... C'mon... I can still go…

*The large birds leave the cage leaving it empty except for a badly beaten Baku, feathers fallen and droppings spread about the area.

[Baku Cree]: *Wheezing* ......... *Thinking to himself* This... Sucks... I don't know how to create the armor... but I need to figure it out soon, or I may never will... *cough* *cough* ... I only have 5 minutes left to last... I can do this... without any fancy armor... I hope...... *cough* *cough* So what's next, huh!? Give me your worst!!!

*SCCCRRREEEEEEEEEECCCCHHHH!!!

[Baku Cree]: *Ears ringing* !!!!!! *Ugh* Damn it! What the crap is up with all of the loud noises!? What the hell was th-- *Jaw drops* .........

*Baku is silenced by the sight of a ginormous falcon blocking the sun and casting a massive overcast of shadow over the cage and the entire area. It soared at a high speed straight towards him, black wings spreading across the horizons. He was at a lost for words. His heart almost beating through his chest, his brain thinking how the hell he was supposed to fight a creature larger than a dinosaur, whether it was real or not.

[Baku Cree]: *Frozen in fear* ..................

*SCCCRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECCCCHHHH!!!

[Baku Cree]: *Shouting* WHAT THE FU--!!!

*The falcon soars straight through the cage tearing through it, completely obliterating the structure. Baku falls screaming through the endless sky along with the rubble of the cage, his voice was blocked out by the air constantly filling his face. There was no hope of him surviving this challenge, let alone focus on his Soul Energy to bother trying to make it happen.

[Baku Cree]: *Screaming* AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!

*SCCCRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECCCCHHHH!!!

*The giant bird closes in on Baku and opens its beak to catch its prey out of the air. At the last second, it disappears in a flurry of light particles and Baku lays defeated on the floor of the white room, shaking and unable to move.

[Prince Majorku]: Defense Simulation Training Level 15; failed with a remaining time of 4 minutes and 20 seconds... Close but no cigar... So Baku, what happened to spawning your armor? You were looking like bird feed out there.

[Baku Cree]: *Heart beating* *Panting* ... I... C-couldn't figure out... How…

[Prince Majorku]: I assumed it would be similar to how you conjured your gauntlets or boots... Is it not?

[Baku Cree]: I don't know, I've never done it before!

[Prince Majorku]: So, it seems like we still have to take baby steps when it comes to figuring out how to interact with your crystal and controlling your powers…

[Baku Cree]: You mean to tell me that you set the difficulty high on purpose!?

[Prince Majorku]: *Confused* Uhhh, Yes? I thought you said you wanted to try harder levels? It was only stage fifteen. I guess we'll have to focus on your meditating in future sessions, that way you'll become more intuned with your Soul Energy... I'll admit you are improving in terms of physical strength. Just gotta work on your defense and stamina. Maybe we'll go on a jog later. For now, wash yourself up and meet with your tutors. I'll see you around.

[Baku Cree]: *Sigh* ... Do you really think I'm getting better?

[Prince Majorku]: ...... *Knods* Yes, I do. If I didn't mean it, I wouldn't have said it. That would be rude, Baku.

[Baku Cree]: ... If you say so…

[Prince Majorku]: Do you still think you are weak?

[Baku Cree]: No... But... How will I know if I'm strong enough to defeat my enemies?

[Prince Majorku]: We'll find that out in the games, won't we?

[Baku Cree]: And what if I lose?

[Prince Majorku]: Then you'll just have to go to Planet Eternia without a weapon. Simple.

[Baku Cree]: That doesn't sound good at all…

[Prince Majorku]: You'll be fine, Baku. Remember, trust your brother and your training. I'm not gonna mess up your lessons so you don't win the tournament. That would compromise the mission, and be a dick move.

[Baku Cree]: I guess you're right... The Crystal Dome Games are in two weeks as well as the Mid Term Exams... If I don't start trusting myself and my mentors, I'll be holding myself back for when the time comes to prove to everybody what I can do.

[Prince Majorku]: That is correct, but don't try to think about it. Or you'll give yourself anxiety. Just focus on the here and now and look forward to achieving the goals you set for yourself when you do get there.

[Baku Cree]: *Smiling* Okay!

[Prince Majorku]: Now get out of here, you booby.

[Baku Cree]: *Confused* ... B-boobs?

[Prince Majorku]: It was a bird joke. What were you thinking about, you weirdo?

[Baku Cree]: That's what I was trying to figure out, pervert.

[Prince Majorku]: Oh, I'm the pervert? At least I'm not going to the Homecoming Dance with my little sister... *Chuckling* Weirdo.

[Baku Cree]: *Embarrassed* Aww, c'mon!

[Narrator]: Baku continues his training with the Royal Prince Majorku successfully defeating simulation levels one after another and learning how to focus and control his Soul Energy until he finally gains mastery of it. He also is growing to become mentally and physically stronger and healthier. The young master continues his studies every day with his different tutors and begins to learn and understand his lessons. The Princess along with Halenday Medellon and Mitsune Akamiko also help Baku with the classes he is struggling in order to prepare him for his Mid Term exams. The hero in training continues to become more and more adept with his studies and battle skills. It is now one week before the Mid Term exams and another until the Crystal Dome Games begin, and Baku appears before the Crystal King and the royal family to show them his progress in his training.