The Hidden Fortress

Xat walked in to the village knowing the way though due to being raised here. She let out a sigh as she followed the spy to the center were she saw the Chief and his name was Seph.

"Welcome my dear assiassn shamen. We really missed you, and are not impressed on how soft you become. But we can tak about that later you should rest." He said as xat just watched the others come out and watch the senery before entering her new house.

A distance away from the Hidden Fortress' near-lifeless and dead scenery was an actual forest filled with life. Assassin HQ seemed to be the point where plant life began to wither and die, but that was of no concern to Aoi as the train dropped the campers off. It was still far away, but the party didn't actually know about the village nearby. The prodigy didn't really question why a majority of the other passengers had fallen asleep either, nor did she answer any inquiries about where they were going camping. The truth was, she had no idea. Just somewhere far in a forest with mountains, and this looked close enough. There's still a mountain the distance.

"Adventure!!" The bubbly gumball shouted again, getting off the train with her comically huge backpack. Unlike Aedan and Haruto, she didn't even notice the assassin that lurked on the train. In fact, she just assumed it was a tiring ride. The mountains in the area make people sleepy, you see. It is a proven science experts known as her imagination have confirmed.

"Let's go find wild life! Get some wood! Fire up the barbie! Find a deer and eat it or be eaten! The cycle of life! We're gonna wrestle some bears!"

Someone should probably stop this before she actually tries that last one.

Fubuki was one of the people to fall asleep on the train, and Aoi's shouting managed to be the trigger to wake her up. How she even fell asleep in the first place with Aoi on the train is a mystery. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, she grabbed her own normal sized backpack with the frying pan attached to it and exited the train.

"Aoi, wrestling a bear isn't going to end well. We're not superhuman," Fubuki muttered, still unhappy about the two boys that had joined them. "But still. . . Food would be nice."

Fubuki's bad feeling just kept getting worse, even though she also hadn't noticed the assassin.

The assaissn riko made his move and pinned aoi to the wall holding her there. "Why do you know Xat?" He asked her knowing that they were close to the village.

meanwhile in teh village xat went outsdie and up to the cliffs to watch the senery knowing that the test will soon begin, and hopes that everyone was ok

"Pbbbff!" Aoi was cut off from being able to respond to Fubuki as someone randomly pinned her to the wall. This isn't what she had in mind for wrestling bears or going in an eat or be eaten world! The china lass flailed her arms about wildly in an attempt to escape, but couldn't really move. "Lemme goooo!!" She demanded, clearly irritated which such a rude awakening to camping. Is this what camping in Japan is like? Such a brutal, unruly country. Just when she thought Japan wasn't all that bad!

"Xat is my buddy!"

Riko glared at her before letting her go. "Were is she?" He asked her not trusting them one bit.

"I don't know! She gave Haruto letter about going back to her village! Part of our trip was looking for her!" Aoi screamed at Riko. Genovious was prepared to be summoned by the shouting lass' Reality Bangle. The poor thing's back was hurting from being slammed into the wall. At least it wasn't a tree...

Someone very suspicious emerged from seemingly nowhere and pinned Aoi to a wall and started. . . Asking questions. For a moment, Fubuki was stunned in shock. Then she realized Aoi was suffering. A malicious glint in her eye, Fubuki grabbed her frying pan, sneaked towards this person as quietly as she could and attempted to slam the frying pan right on the back of his head!

Riko let go of the girl and ducked the frying pan after all he was oe of the top assassins so his skills would be on par with xats. "She shouldn't have come back. She is just a tool, do us a favor and don't look for her. I will save her myself." he said before openign a door and jumping out knowing that if they presue xat then they will most likely die.

Aoi couldn't even catch her breath as Fubuki was coming in to be her savior until Riko ducked, which led to the frying pan smacking the lass square - err, roundly in the face. Several of Aqua Force cringed as the girl of misfortune's face was red from the power that should've hit the offender. She didn't blame Fubuki, no, but the lass, simply slumped down the wall and started crying. Her back has been hurting ever since that day in Gotem City with Bashiro after the... "realization", and now it's even worse. Her face had been assaulted, they had not wrestled a bear yet, they didn't tell a bad ghost story yet.

"Camping... is rough life."

Fubuki was unable to react in time to this stranger's evasion, leaving the frying pan to slam straight into poor Aoi. Immediately, Fubuki dropped her frying pan, her hands covering her mouth as shock, guilt, and worry filled her face.

"Oh my god, Aoi, are you OK!?" she said, kneeling down to the poor girl.

Holy hell, what happened? Aedan must of zoned out particularly hard for all of this to slip by him. Then again, he had probably gone off to explore the woods. ...Yeah let's go with that story. At the yelling however, the normally red head made his way back and saw... This scene? "Fubuki? Aoi?! What happened?" he called over, retrieving some ice and putting it in a plastic bag... making his way over to Aoi. The red mark on her face... That, looked like it hurt. There was a frying pan to. Did something happen between them or... something else? That chill from the train came back as he knelt in front of Aoi.

"Here let me look at it..." he sighed softly, looking at the red mark. Damn that looked painful. Raising the ice baggy up to Aoi's face to try and put down the swelling he sighed again looking between them. "So what happened?..." a simple question, one that he'd already asked but still... He wanted to know cause someone was hurt and they were both upset.

"Training... is difficult", was all Aoi responded to Fubuki and Aedan with. Something completely vague and missing the point of how someone pinned her to the wall entirely. She winced and sobbed a little before lowering her head, trying to tough out the harshness of the wilderness. So, more than wrestling bears, there random assassins that would strike at you. Truly... this is Hell. A survival in the fiery Gehenna - a challenge against death. No, Aoi would not quit! She is filled with determination. With the healing prowess of the ice and simply having Fubuki at her side, the china lass shouted defiantly toward nature.

"I won't surrender!!" Aoi shot up to her feet, comically healed from the brutal assaulting of her face and back. Reinvigorated by youth and spirit, she clenched her fists tightly, poised for battle.

"... And I'm still gonna find Xat, regardless of what that doof says! Xat isn't a tool, she's my buddy!"

She's also still going to get at that bear, deer, and fire up the grill in the middle of the woods. Such is camping.

The sudden burst of energy made Aedan fall on his backside with a rather comical look of confusion plastered on his face. ...Well as long as she was alright. Sighing the male stood up, dusting himself off. "So you guys were attacked is what you're saying." way to bum it out Irish man.

Though that was the most troubling part. They were attacked. Or at least Aoi was. That being said, her determination and enthusiasm was inspiring. "Well, if you're out to look for your friend, consider me in." You were already in from the start of this, don't be stupid. "We should probably eat though. Especially before we start going out there." Stop being a downer.

As Aoi declared what they will achieve on this trip, Haruto immediately jumped and went to rustle up some firewood, he had the equipment necessary for this in his bag so it was easy. Afterall he did not want Aoi to take care of them, he wanted to help....though him leaving Aoi's sight turned out to be a bad idea.

When he came back he found Aeden and Fubuki crouched next to Aoi trying to help her, it would seem that she got hit pretty badly to the face by someone,"Oh no..." he thought as he ran towards the group with the batch of firewood he had in hand all chopped up and ready. "What happened here?" he asked, as he arrived on the scene.

"She was attacked by someone."
".....Was it that presence we felt?"
"More than likely."

At this point Haruto was clenching his fists in anger, he wanted to go after the guy that caused this but then he would be repeating his mistake, all he could do was try to be around so as to not repeat this, "I'm sorry Aoi." he said.

Turning his attention toward Haruto, Aedan sat there for a few moments... Thinking... He was apologetic. Then again, who could blame him. There was an incident and they weren't around to help. Hm, maybe there's something he can do to at least try and get the other male to cheer up. "Hey, Haruto right? How about a cardfight while we wait? Better that we get some practice in and such. Would be fun getting to know a fellow Gold Paladin player as well." the Irish guy did have a point, practice wouldn't hurt. And besides, they shouldn't all wander away by themselves. And a fight could help alleviate some of the tension a bit.

Haruto was surprised at the challenge especially given the timing of it, come to think of it Haruto and Aeden never really had a cardfight before so this will be interesting to say the least.

"I-" he was about to respond until Percival cut him off.
"I say do it, I know you feel guilty but remember why you came here, besides tell me didn't you honestly hope to fight another Gold Paladin Player."

He was right, Haruto set down the firewood near Aoi and Fubuki, "Don't push yourself for now until you feel better." sheesh Haruto it was only a frying pan. He turned around to face Aeden, "Sure I was hoping we'd have a game anyway." he said, taking out his deck.

Aedan was all grins honestly. He got to fight another Gold Paladin player for the first time ever. Ireland was just full of Revengers and Seekers and the like. Wasn't as much fun for him. But this? Liberators against his Ezel... It was probably the most fun he'd had in a long time. It also brought out his highly competitive spirit, as he rode Garmore and legioned with his Avatar Ezel... and in one turn, he exceeded forty-thousand power... Now able to call during the battle phase as well, thanks to the fact that he'd added in Kahedin. Everything felt... Grand honestly. And the fight with Haruto drove home why he loved playing vanguard. A mixture of skill and chance... No two games were the same to him, and on the last turn... with both fighters at five damage... That was hammered even further into his mind... As he top decked his new ace, Raven Haired Ezel.

The Ezel looked edgy, but it was still Ezel. His best friend and avatar, and riding it still felt great. Even more so with the skill to restrict guardians and gain power. Aedan took the game with this card, but only laughed. He didn't goad or taunt Haruto. No, it was a happy, friendly laugh. He'd had fun! And not because he won! "Ahahahaha! Haruto, I've got to say man, I really loved that game. It's the first time I've gotten to play against someone who played the same clan as me." a grin as he reached his hand over for a handshake. "Let's play again sometime yeah?"

The fight was truly a challenge for Haruto, he got to see a form of how Ezel operates with a new and improved version of Garmore that Aeden commanded. It was disheartening that he lost his perfect guards to the damage zone, but he still tried his best to push for the game, but with the decent of the new and improved Ezel he had to bet on a heal trigger to survive which did not happen. Regardless, the boy did not have anything but a smile on his face the whole time, a new challenge in gold paladin was impressive to witness.

"Thank you so much for that game, the pleasure is mine, it was amazing." he said, he almost wanted to have another but he did not want to pester. "Definitely, I'd like to challenge you whenever you're free."

Then a question popped in his mind, "..Actually Aeden, what made you come to our town/city anyway?" he had realized that he had not gotten to know Aeden that well so he decided he should.

Aoi... slipped away at some point in excitement while the boys began cardfighting. She just had so much energy, she didn't really listen to Aedan's advice about eating first. The woods were... calming and relaxing, to say the least. Aside from that assassin's attack, nature intrigued the lass with how serene it felt and how it could transition to life-threateningly dangerous. Like now for example, a bear blocked the road. Menacing claws and teeth at the ready, it roared angrily over the trespassing of territory. "Heh", the china girl smirked. "Bring it on!" Was declared, taking a battle stance as if having a kungfu showdown. In such an epic bout between girl and beast, words of a legendary man filled Aoi's heart and soul.

"I said, empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend."

Genovious and company watched in awe as Aoi flipped and leaped about as if gravity was no true binding to her, dodging the grizzly's ferocious assaults with the swiftness of a cheetah. Majestically she undulated, backflipping to escape the charging beast. When an opening presented itself, she flipped forward, dropkicking the bear's head, defeating it with one sound blow. A mighty wail of pain and surrender was given before it fell backward, bested by the tinier predator. Aoi let loose a breath of relief, bowing to her honorable opponent. Placing her hands together, "Thank you" was given.

That wasn't really wrestling but it proved camping was supreme.

Aoi then noticed a cave and detected a number of traps with her Aoi senses... and just seeing a couple in plain view with her eyes, it isn't that hard. "Hmm..." She contemplated, wondering what was inside, and if there were traps that got harder to see - more difficult to dodge. ... Yes, this too was part of training. "Alright!" The challenge was accepted with enthusiasm, rushing into the gateway with reckless abandon to the Hidden Fortress!

Fubuki, having noticed Aoi's disappearance a bit too late, wandered off in search of her while the boys that she did not want to deal with continued with whatever it was they were doing. In her quest for the precious, she. . . Got completely lost. Also she saw an unconscious bear. Poor thing. Eventually, while not looking where she was going, she walked into a wall. Ow.

"Gah, who puts a wa---" She cut herself off when she realized that it wasn't a wall at all. It was the edge of an entrance to a cave. A really dark cave. A cave that a little. . . Kid. . . . . Would. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . "Please don't be in there Aoi. . . ." Fubuki peeked into the entrance of the cave, seeing a few traps scattered about. Not good. Carefully, Fubuki took her own steps forward into the cave, praying she wouldn't get herself killed looking for Aoi.

It took a moment, but Aedan finally noticed the missing girls... And quickly stood up. Dammit all, they shouldn't be split up! Standing, Aedan followed off in the direction that he saw foot prints... Following them and seeing a poor unconscious bear. Darn it Aoi. How'd he know it was her? Well, what else could it be? Her Determination is ridiculous. Noticing the cave, the red head ventured inside... Seeing Fubuki. He didn't want to spook her but... Well... "Any luck finding her?..." he spoke softly, trying not to have his voice echo off the walls of the cave. He was hoping maybe she hadn't gone in here, but for other reasons...

That being said, what was this gut wrenching feeling?... Pulling out his phone, he used the flashlight part of it to illuminate the way ahead of them... and took steps into the cave... looking all over the place so he didn't accidentally trip something.

After the cardfight both Haruto and Aeden realized that both girls were gone, causing some worry and concern given how they are in uncharted land and should not split up. Aeden had gone ahead to try and look for them, while Haruto took his deck and looked through it, more practice was definitely needed.

After a few minutes and Aeden not coming back Haruto decided to follow, stumbling upon a knocked out bear, yikes Aoi. Haruto wanted to try and help the poor thing but something told him that that might be a bad idea besides he was starting to lose track of the three.

He arrived at a cave as Aeden was going in, so he ran up to him, "Careful Aeden." he said, as he too noticed the traps setup at the cave. "If this is where they went then let's walk carefully." he said, as he followed him into the cave.

Legendary.

Aoi miraculously avoided a majority of the traps she set off, then dodged activating a large number of traps in general. This illogical lass bounced, hopped, skipped with glee, even jiggling excitedly like jello over the adventure. The thrill of what was outside of the cave enveloped her like a warm blanket. Discoveries of the ancients! Trials of the tombs! Large dinosaur boss battles out of nowhere! Lara C- err, Aoi Undyne was pepped to the max, ready to challenge the Hell of camping. Returning to the Resistance, she'd return stronger than ever. No... she'll be "the Ace".

Taking one step outside into the light, her expression... was a bit surprised. The Hidden Fortress had a very large amount of just... dead plant life. The ground was barren like your typical wastelands. Only... there's a bunch of houses out here.

"... I think I should've turned left at the corner", the lass felt a bead of sweat from her forehead. "Aha... Hello...? Sorry about your traps, if you set them... I kind of just wandered in..." Aoi spoke and moved forward very cautiously and curiously.

Classic.