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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:25:53 GMT -5
"ATTENTION CITIZENS OF AUSUM LAND," boomed a voice over the speakers throughout all of Ausum Land. "WE HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT OUR GREAT RULER, QUEEN CRIDER, HAS PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING."
The Queen had been in a coma for the past 72 hours. She had been taken by a series of seizures and had finally passed out. Nobody knew why. It was very strange. All of Ausum Land had been thrown into a frenzy, wondering who would become the new ruler of Ausum Land, since the Queen did not have any living relatives. There was mass confusion and distress. Now the time of decision had finally come.
"THE QUEEN'S WILL HAS BEEN DISCOVERED BY THE AUSUM ROYAL GUARD AND WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF WHO HER HIGHNESS WISHED TO BE THE NEXT RULER OF AUSUM LAND. THE NEW KING - RATHER, KING AND PRINCE - ARE THE PHANTOM AND XERO WATSROBE! CONGRATULATIONS! KING PHANTOM AND PRINCE XERO, PLEASE REPORT TO THE AUSUM PALACE IMMEDIATELY FOR YOUR CORRONATION."
There was great cheering as the new King and Prince of Ausum Land passed through town square toward the palace. Everyone knew the Watsrobes, and they were greatly admired throughout the land. They were well-known for their musical abilities, as well as their military experience, and every was glad the Music Legend and Trumpet Master had been selected as their new rulers.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:26:04 GMT -5
As soon as he heard this, Commander Zento Calfrun of the Ausum Land Navy (yeah, thats probably not a navy title, but i dont really care) ran to the palace as fast as he could. In other words, he was there within seconds. He had befriended the Watsrobes during the war against the Time Keeper 10 years ago. He wanted to see his friends become the ruling family. As a side note, he figured that as the greatest fighter in the Navy he was garunteed to become part of the Royal Guard.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:26:19 GMT -5
Rowlek, dressed in full guard uniform, followed the slowly increasing procession to the palace to view the crowning of the new rulers. After his time in Awesome Land, Rowlek had decided to give up his life underwater in Special Land for a more reasonable life above land. He had left Awesome Land for Ausum Land with the Watsrobes and the Phantom Regiment, King Phantom's regiment of men who had joined together with him in rebellion against Emotecon, the previous ruler of Ausum Land before Queen Crider, years before. He was ecstatic that two men he had come to know closely were now being crowned King and Prince of Ausum Land.
As he neared the palace, a hand grabbed his shoulder. He turned around to see Gould Lacquer, now age 60, standing before him. Commander Lacquer was the co-founder of the Phantom Regiment. He had been great friends with Phantom since they were young children, and they had joined together both against Emotecon and the forces of tyranny that had reigned Awesome Land years before. But that was all history.
"Hello, Commander," Rowlek said pleasantly. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you," Lacquer said. However, his tone did not indicate that he was fine at all. Shouldn't he be happy for his friend, who was now the King of Ausum Land?
"What's troubling you, Commander?" Rowlek inquired.
"First, before I tell you, are you willing to swear that this will never pass forth from your lips ever again?" Lacquer asked.
"Of course!"
Lacquer nodded. "Okay. Well, I've been informed by an anonymous source that the death of our Queen was not of a natural cause. I've heard that someone put poison in her wine. A very slow-acting wine called Minusek, only found in the Hidden Caves to the east."
"Who could have obtained something like Minusek?" Rowlek said in unbelief. "I heard that was only a legend?"
"Apparently not," Lacquer said grimly. "Come. We must discuss this in private. But first..." He pulled a sword with its sheath from under his standard Regiment cape. The sheath was white and red, the same colors as the Commander's uniform. On the hilt of the sword was an emblem of a trumpet. He held the sword out to Rowlek.
"Rowlek, how would you like to join the Phantom Regiment?"
Rowlek stood in shock. He had come to Ausum Land in search of a more peaceful life. He did not wish to join another army to head into war again. It had only been ten years since he had come out of the War of Four Kings in Awesome Land. He hesitated. Then he gulped, and took the sword. He pulled the blade from its sheath, the metal gleaming in the noon sunlight. The blade rang out as it slid from the sheath. He hefted the sword and swung it around a few times, then replaced it in its sheath.
"That blade is called Vor'em," Lacquer told him. "It has been passed around throughout the history of the Phantom Regiment. It is no blade like the True Sword from the Kingdom of Really Cool or Marcato, the legendary Blade of Brass Wind, passed down through the Watsrobe family line, but it has served many men well. I see it suits you. So how about it? Do you accept my offer?"
Rowlek thought a moment, then, resignedly, he said, "I will join the legendary Phantom Regiment, no matter what the cost."
Lacquer smiled. "Hold the butter," he said, reciting the old motto of the Regiment.
"And make them throw babies," Rowlek said, finishing the saying. He placed Vor'em in his belt, and they walked off to discuss what had happened to the Queen.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:26:28 GMT -5
Zento had heard all this and was suddenly intrigued. He had no idea what Minusek was, but it sounded like the peace that had for so long may soon end. This was turning out to be a really good day.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:27:12 GMT -5
Vincent stopped practicing his Bass Trombone. The Watsrobe's are becoming the royal family huh? Better go congratulate them. He wondered where Cha Cha was though. Vincent left his music store and headed towards the palace. Soon his question would be answered.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:27:23 GMT -5
Having heard that something important would be happening soon in Ausum Land, Phantom's old friends Jacob Throop and Chris Oglesby from Awesome Land came to see what was going on. They arrived just in time.
As the entire population of Ausum Land finished filing into the Ausum Palace, a member of the Ausum Royal Guard stepped forward to stand before Phantom and Xero. The man had an assistant at his side who was carrying a cushion with two crowns on it. The Guard took the first crown and placed it on Phantom's head. It quivered as it sensed the Power within the Music Legend. This one would be a good King indeed.
Then the man took the second crown. As he reached up to place the crown on Xero's head, he suddenly fell stiff, then dropped to the ground. Xero dropped to his knees immediately. He examined the Guard and saw a dart sticking out from his neck. It squinted at the tip and noticed a strange black powder. He looked at the body again. He wasn't dead. Merely out cold. He knew exactly what had been in that dart: Minusek.
The assistant ran away with the crown, doing his duty to protect the Prince by not crowning him in the presence of an assassin. He arrived at the Ausum Vault in the palace and began entering the combination when, suddenly, he too fell stiff. As he turned the lock to the last number of the combination, he fell to the ground, dropping the golden, bejeweled crown. A cloaked figure stole by at an incredible speed and grabbed the crown before it touched the ground. He hid the crown under his cloak and slipped out of view as the assistant passed out.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:27:36 GMT -5
Back in the throne room, Xero looked around for the source of the dart. He noticed a cloaked figure standing overhead in the rafters.
"HEY!" he shouted at the figure. The figure disappeared almost as quickly as the Guard had fallen. Xero ordered an emergency team into the throne room immediately, then set off with a squad of the Phantom Regiment in hot pursuit of the figure.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I believe the Evil Hidden Squad (EHS lolz) may be behind the Queen's death," Lacquer told Rowlek.
"Why is that?" the new member of the Phantom Regiment asked. "And who is the Evil Hidden Squad?"
"The EHS is a group of assassins who live in the hills in the east. Near the Hidden Caves. Only they could have obtained a poison such as Minusek. The EHS is supposed to be only a myth, but I have different thoughts."
At that moment, screams could be heard coming from the Ausum Palace. Rowlek and Lacquer exchanged quick glances, then dashed toward the palace as fast as possible. They saw everyone running from the palace in mass chaos. Then Rowlek saw something: a figure in a black cloak running away from the palace almost faster than the eye could see. Another figure joined him, this one holding something beneath his cloak. Then, a small crowd of men followed from the castle chasing the two figures. In the lead was Xero. Why wasn't he wearing his new crown? And why wasn't he safe inside the castle?
Rowlek ran after his old rival. Xero wouldn't beat him this time. He would catch the criminals this time. While Rowlek chased Xero, Lacquer ran to the palace to check up on his old friend. He had to be sure the new King was okay. He sighed in relief when he saw the Phantom seated majestically in his throne. But then he saw the Guard on the ground. He noticed the dart Xero had left at the man's side. He picked up the dart. Minusek. He was right. It was the EHS. He bowed to King Phantom and said, "Your Highness." Then, he spun on his heels and sprinted after Rowlek. He had to warn him and the Prince. The Evil Hidden Squad had struck.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:27:54 GMT -5
Zento caught up with Xero quickly. "So, what exactly is going on here?"
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:28:04 GMT -5
Tuba Justin was mopping the floor of a hallway when he saw a cloaked figure darting torward him, the figure was being chased by several comanding officers
TJ waited for the figure to get closer and he hit it with his broom knocking it down and unconcious, TJ quickly removed the hood to see the identity of the figure............
it was.....................
a woodwind player........
TJ shuddered at the sight, he had heard about the age long war many years ago.
and it looked like they wanted some more
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:28:15 GMT -5
Zento came around behind Tuba Justin. "Awww, I was gonna do that..."
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:28:24 GMT -5
Xero rounded the corner just as Tuba Justin hit the hooded figure with his broom. He walked up to the figure and looked at his face. Those evil Woodwinds! When would they learn? Brass always win! (lolz You do know this is now a full band forum, not just brass, right?) He pulled the Woodwind to his feet and shook him.
"Who sent you?" he demanded. "Who told you to kill the King?"
The Woodwind merely smiled a crooked smile and laughed weakly. "Hehehe. Nobody sent me. It's my job. And a very profitable one at that. You Brass think you always win. Heh! Not this time! This time: Woodwinds prevail!"
The Woodwind reached under his cloak and revealed the crown. Everyone stared at the crown in shock. Nobody noticed the object he pulled from his cloak with his other hand. The Woodwind made a sudden movement, and Xero grew still. His face was one of shock and agony. He clutched at the Woodwind, but his grip on the man's cloak grew weak. The Woodwind pushed Xero over, then ran off with the crown, the Phantom Regiment continuing their pursuit of the Evil Hidden Squad member.
Lacquer and Rowlek came around the corner just in time to see Xero fall to his knees. He clutched at his stomach, where blood spilled out in a small steady stream. On his armor around the hole made by the small dagger, a fine black powder could be seen. Lacquer ran to Xero's side and caught him just before his head hit the ground. Rowlek snarled at the thought of his rival being defeated. He knew this created a chance for him to prove himself, but he was a fair competitor, and he knew that it would be far from fair to claim superiority over a fallen comrade. He ripped Vor'em from its sheath and charged after the Woodwind with a mighty roar: "FOR XEROOOOO!!!!!!!"
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:28:34 GMT -5
Tuba Justin quickly darted torwards Xero, his basic medical training was about to pay off
but he was running out of time
he picked up Xero and ran down the street toward the palace where the PR and the navy were at
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:28:43 GMT -5
Lacquer hurried after TJ, anxious to ensure the Prince's safety.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:28:57 GMT -5
Zento caught up with the woodwind player and kicked him in the gut. The only thing that prevented him from cutting this guy right now was that he might be of use.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:29:13 GMT -5
Rowlek finally caught up to the Phantom Regiment. He was a very fast runner, having trained underwater in Special Land for years. Soon enough, he had overtaken the Regiment, and was drawing closer to the hooded Woodwind and Zento, who was standing over the body.
"Good job, Calfrun!" Rowlek said, patting Zento on the back roughly. "Now we can find out where this guy is from and what he wants. I have a few suspicions myself." He dragged the figure to his feet and examined his face. Through the blood running from his forehead, nose, and mouth, his features seemed familiar. Rowlek was sure he knew this man. But it couldn't be. Could it? He hadn't seen that man in years. The last time he saw him was during the War of Four Kings, and he had personally seen to the man's execution. Surely it couldn't be him.
He erased the thought from his mind and threw the Woodwind over his shoulder, turning toward the castle.
Just then, the other hooded figure appeared on the same street. Seeing his fallen comrade slung over Rowlek's shoulder, he turned tail and fled.
"Zento! Take this man to the palace!" he ordered, dropping the Woodwind to his feet, falling into Zento's arms. "Inform King Phantom we have a prisoner: the assassin. And I am now in pursuit of his accomplice! Men! After him!" He ran off in the direction the Evil Hidden Squad member had fled with the Phantom Regiment persistently chasing the ones who had assaulted their Colonel and new King.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:29:43 GMT -5
TJ Darted into the palace and immediatly solders were all over him takeing Xero off his shoulder, he was pretty sure Xero was going to be ok
he needed to get back to rowlek and see what needed to be done
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:29:55 GMT -5
Lacquer reached the palace about the same time TJ burst back out from the palace, running in the direction they had just come from. He was probably on his way to help Rowlek and Zento. Out of breath, Lacquer staggered into the throne room to see that King Phantom was still unharmed sitting in his throne.
"Your Highness," he said, bowing low.
"Please, Gould," Phantom said kindly. "I've known you for years. We founded the Phantom Regiment together. There is no need for any of these courtesies. I am still the same man who led the Phantom Regiment against Emotecon and against the forces of tyranny all those years ago."
"Yes, Yo-- I mean, of course, Phantom," Lacquer said.
"You were saying?"
"Oh, right. Well, Phantom, I'm very sorry to say this, but it seems that the men who assaulted you and your son are none other than the Woodwinds of the Evil Hidden Squad. It is quite apparent to me that the Woodwinds wish to provoke us to the point of beginning a war. An ancient dispute that has remained dormant for so many centuries seems to be reemerging. The Woodwinds wish to begin the Second Battle of the Bands."
Phantom cogitated over this thought. Would the Woodwinds really be so daring as to start another war of the caliber of the First Battle of the Bands? "I cannot believe that the Woodwinds of the Eastern Mountains would really go so far as to provoke another war. They could not possibly afford it after the losses they sustained from the First War."
"I'm afraid it's true, my old friend," Lacquer replied grimly. "You see, I discovered that Queen Crider, may her soul rest in peace, may have been killed by the legendary poison Minusek."
"Minusek!" Phantom cried. "That foul poison of the Hidden Caves! What makes you think that?"
"A black powdery substance was found on the rim of her glass the night she fell unconscious. I also found the same powder on the dart that killed the Guard who was in charge of your coronation. And, sir....." He trailed off.
"Out with it!"
"Sir, your son, Xero, has been stabbed with a dagger with the same powder."
"WHAT!?!!??" Phantom bellowed. "Xero!!" he leapt from his throne and dashed to the infirmary. Lacquer whirled around and followed his King.
They arrived in the infirmary to find Xero patched up around his abdomen where he had been stabbed. Blood was crusting on the bandages, but the blood-flow seemed to be slowing. Doctors were monitoring him with constant vigilance (lolz Mad Eye Moody quote). Phantom ran to his son's side.
"Xero?" he whispered.
Xero managed to open his eyes just enough for him to see his father, and enough for his father to see the dim light weakening slowly in his eyes. "F-father?"
"He's awake!" shouted a doctor. "It's a miracle!" He suddenly fell silent when Lacquer smacked him on the back of the head with the flat side of his sword, knocking the obnoxious doctor unconscious.
"Shhh!" Lacquer hissed quietly. "He's sick!"
"Father...." Xero gasped. "That man.... he..... he was..... a Woodwind....."
"Yes, I know," Phantom whispered, holding his son's hand, as if he were unwilling to let go.
"He....." Xero wheezed, searching for air that seemed to escape him. Finally catching his breath, he continued, "I recognized him. From Awesome Land. He was....." He struggled for air again.
"Yes?" Phantom whispered anxiously. "Who was it?"
"It was...... Rudat....." With that, Xero's head fell to his pillow. Phantom left his son to sleep. He had little time left. He had to discover the antidote. In the mean time, the doctors continued to monitor the Prince 24/7, pumping small amounts of Savo into his blood stream at all times. So far, it seemed to be working. No other victim of Minusek had ever had the strength to talk after consuming the poison.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:30:03 GMT -5
Before Zento could respond to Rowlek, he was gone. The body of the Woodwind fell limp into his arms. But, quite suddenly, the Woodwind had a spasm, shaking himself free from Zento's hold, he flashed his razor-sharp teeth at Zento and pulled an Agony Stick from his cloak. Not just any Agony Stick: an Oboe! He raised the short wooden instrument to his mouth and emitted a harsh squeal from it, causing Zento to fall to the ground in pain. Rudat began to back away slowly until he had reached the end of the street. People all around were screaming at the piercing squeal that could only be created by the best of all Oboe Players. Then, Rudat replaced his Oboe under his cloak and disappeared, saying, "This isn't the last you've seen of me!!"
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:30:12 GMT -5
Tuba Justin had just arrived at the scene (now equiped with his tuba) as Rudat escaped
he rushed to Zento's side, questions blirting out of his mouth
TJ calmed down for a second, enough to squeze out a "what happened?"
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 10, 2011 21:30:25 GMT -5
Vincent looked around as a black hooded man ran by him knocking him to the side of the street. As soon as he regained his balance a group of royal guards rounded the corner that the hooded man had come from.
"You there, stop!" Vincent shot them a confused look. The guards quickly surrounded him.
"Sir you are under arrest."
"Why? I have committed no crime...And if you knew who you were dealing with you would not be so quick to threaten me." With that he summoned his deadly Trombone and switched his grip so the main tuning slide would be facing forward. All the outer edges of his Trombone, named Elkhart, were razor sharp. Seeing the rose brass instrument all of the guards quickly saluted and reported the situation.
"Xero injured?! Please excuse me for the one of the culprits knocked past me as you rounded that corner." With inhuman speed Vincent leaped and sped towards one of the assassins.
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