Back on the strange planet, Ryuu and Kidd were prepping the cannon while Clef was keeping an eye out for the mercenaries.

“Clef, what are they doing now?” Ryuu asked.

“They’re looking around the camp for something. I think if we’re gonna strike, now would be the best time.” Clef said.

“Good. Kidd, grab the fruit.” Ryuu said as Kidd unloaded a bag of cut up fruits.

“Is it enough?” Kidd asked.

“Doesn’t matter, we just need to cause a distraction.” Ryuu said as he put a cut-up fruit into the cannon and lit it. “Hide.”

Ryuu and Kidd ran off to hide while Clef hid among the branches of the trees. After the cannon went off, launching the Block Fruit into camp, the mercenaries grew confused.

“What the hell is this thing?” The Snake Mutant mercenary picked it up.

“Hey, this thing looks like it came from these trees.” The second mercenary said, a Goat Mutant. “What do you think Vaugner… er, boss.”

“We aren’t alone.” Vaugner said. He was a Wolf Mutant. “You, are there more of you?”

“More of us? Why would there be?” Flora said, nervously.

“Go sweep the area, find the others.” Vaugner said to the other two mercenaries, they began to climb the Block Trees while Vaugner kneeled next to Flora and the old man. “You are gonna tell me where they are, got it?”

“Fat chance!” Flora said.

“You’re never gonna get a peep out of me.” The old man said.

“Listen, you have something that my employer wants.” Vaugner said. “When he wants something, he gets it.”

The old man, worried, had looked down at Vaugner’s gun, which had a red gem attached to it.

“You’re right, how foolish of me. You see that tent over there, it’s in there.” The old man said.

“Wait, no!” Flora said, worried.

“Glad to see you’re finally cooperating.” Vaugner said as he went over to the tent.

“You’re just gonna give up what they’re looking for?” Flora asked.

“Nope, because we have friends in high places!” The old man shouted out that last part.

Ryuu, Kidd, and Clef hopped over the Block Trees, dropping the other mercenaries on the ground, tied up.

“Hey you! Armored jerk!” Ryuu shouted out.

Vaugner turned around and pointed his gun at Ryuu.

“Be careful! He put a Cosmic Gem into his gun!” The old man said.

“Cosmic Gem? What’s that?” Flora asked.

“We fought people that used them before…” Kidd said.

“Cosmic Gems are special stones that grant abilities to those that wield them.” The old man said. “As common as they are, it’s rare to see someone actually using one. They’re physically draining on their users, so they can be dangerous.”

“Do you know what kind of Cosmic Gem it is?” Clef asked.

“That’s the thing, I’m unsure of what it does. He hasn’t used it yet.” The old man said

“You’re gonna be long dead before you find out, gotta return this to my boss after we’re done here anyway.” Vaugner said.

“You have a funny way of saying that you’re gonna lose. We already got your lackeys.” Ryuu said.

“They aren’t as powerful as me, I could care less if you grabbed them.” Vaugner said. “Now square up, Red.”

Ryuu’s arms transformed into dragon arms and he flung himself at Vaugner. The Cosmic Gem began to glow as Vaugner fired a heavy bullet from his gun, knocking Ryuu back into the Block Trees.

“Ryuu!” Clef called out.

“Hah! Lotta big talk coming from some small fry in the Leo System.” Vaugner said as he approached Ryuu. “Since it doesn’t really matter anymore… my Boost Gem provides bursts of power.”

As Vaugner approached Ryuu’s body, he was dealt with a kick from Ryuu, who had survived the shot. Vaugner was launched back into the tent. He was surprised that someone was able to get a hit back on him, furious at the idea of being hit.

“What?! How did you hit me? How did you survive my attack?” Vaugner shouted as Ryuu stood up, brushing himself off.

“Growing up the way I did, you learn to take a bullet.” Ryuu said. “Red Dragon Style is all about building a resilient body and a strong mind. I ain’t afraid of a little bruise.”

“Is this a joke to you?” Vaugner laughed.

“Oh, we’re talking about jokes now, are we?” Ryuu said. “Why don’t I show you the punchline!” 

Ryuu leaped towards Vaugner, punching the mercenary. As Vaugner got launched backwards, his gun flew off and hit a tree, knocking the Cosmic Gem out.

“Ay, Kidd, Clef… get Flora and the old guy out of here. Run to the ship, I’ll take care of these guys.” Ryuu said.

“You gonna be all good by yourself, Ryuu?” Kidd asked.

“I always am, aren’t I?” Ryuu asked.

“Stay safe!” Kidd said as he went over to untie Flora and the old man.

“Wait, I’m not leaving you!” Clef said.

“I’ll be fine here! Get back to the ship, this shouldn’t take much longer.” Ryuu said.

“Okay, if you say so!” Clef ran over and untied Flora and the old man, the group retreating over the Block Trees.

“I can’t let some nobody win, especially some stupid human!” Vaugner stood up and took out a small baton weapon.

“Hey, just because I’m a little stupid doesn’t mean I can’t kick butt!” Ryuu shouted.

“Doesn’t matter, I just need you out of the picture so I can get what I came here for.” Vaugner said.

“What are you after anyway?” Ryuu asked.

“That’s none of your business, whoever you are.” Vaugner said.

“The name’s Ryuu… remember that. It’s gonna be the name that rings throughout the 88 Systems!” Ryuu said.

“You sound like a child… I bet you’re gonna say that you wanna go after Rothmore’s Relics.” Vaugner said.

“Color me impressed, you figured it out!” Ryuu shouted.

“You’re gonna get yourself killed, you aren’t the only one looking for them. You’re bound to find someone that’ll kill you before you get anywhere!” Vaugner said.

“Then I’ll just have to defeat them first!” Ryuu said.

Vaugner laughed at Ryuu, looking over at his gun. He runs to grab it and fires it at Ryuu, but the bullet only bounces off of Ryuu, causing no damage.

“What the hell!?” Vaugner yelled.

“Hey! Your fancy space rock is gone!” Ryuu shouted.

“What!?” Vaugner looked around for the Cosmic Gem, only for Ryuu to spot it.

Ryuu, wanting to grab the Gem before Vaugner, made a mad dash for it. The mercenary noticed and charged for it as well. Ryuu rammed himself into Vaugner, launching the man away, grabbing the Gem. Ryuu clutches the gem in his hand.

“I feel the power coursing through me!” Ryuu said.

“Give that back you bastard!” Vaugner charged at Ryuu, who kicked the man into the Block Trees.

“I would normally say that having something like this is a little unfair… but you started using it first.” Ryuu said as he put the Gem in his pocket.

“Very well!” Vaugner throws his gun to the side, taking his baton back out. He runs at Ryuu and the two clash.

“These Cosmic Gems really are powerful!” Ryuu said as he continued to throw his fists at Vaugner, who was successfully blocking them. “You might as well just give up now!”

“You know, you’re right… you’d be a little shocked by how often I get my ass handed to me.” Vaugner pressed a button on the side of the baton, shocking Ryuu.

Ryuu fell to the ground, looking up at Vaugner, he has a hard time moving. Standing over him, Vaugner gets ready to finish Ryuu off with a spare gun.

“Cosmic Gems may possess an amazing power… but it won’t stop me from killing you!” Vaugner pointed his gun at Ryuu’s head. “I’ll give you one last chance!”

“Very well…” Ryuu clutched his fist, which began to envelop himself in a red light. “Big Bang… DRAKNUCKLE!!!”

Ryuu thrust his fist into Vaugner’s gut, launching the man away. Ryuu Aka had won this fight. Looking over at Vaugner’s men, he untied them.

“You two better run off, tell your boss that I never wanna see him around here again.” Ryuu said.

The two mercenaries, scared, had run off towards where Vaugner had been thrown. Ryuu turned towards where his group had run off to, seeing they were still on top of the Block Trees.

“How’s that for a fight?” Ryuu asked.

“That’ll do, Ryuu…” Kidd said. “Those guys won’t be coming around here again, that’s for sure.”

“Everything’s all good then… you don’t have to run anymore.” Clef looked at the old man.

“I can finally live in peace… it’s been so long.” The old man said. “I guess my job is complete…”

“What do you mean?” Flora asked.

“I want you to pretend you never saw me.” The old man took out the locator chip. “Take this and get it away from here.”

“But don’t you have people who would want to know you’re okay?” Ryuu asked.

“Any family I had is long gone… I’m just happy to know that my purpose in life has been fulfilled.” The old man said as he handed Ryuu the chip.

“What’s so special about this chip?” Ryuu asked.

“You’ll find out one day… Ryuu…” The old man said. “This thing bought me more trouble than it’s worth. I’m glad to have met some people who can take this burden off of me.”

“Is that what this is about?” Clef asked, she seemed a little ticked.

“It’s more than that… but you’ll learn about it someday.” The old man said. “I suppose this is goodbye.”

“Yeah, it is.” Ryuu said as he looked at his communicator. “Wait… night time ended on the Exceed hours ago! How did we lose so much time!?”

“Shoot! We gotta rush back then!” Kidd shouted.

“Will we see you again?” Ryuu asked.

“Maybe, there’s no telling.” The old man said.

“What about your name?” Flora asked.

“It’s been lost to time… if it matters one day, then you’ll learn it.” The old man said. “Now you best hurry along, you seem to be needed somewhere else.”

“Right! Let’s hurry on then!” Ryuu said as the group climbed back over the trees, Ryuu look back at the man before hopping back down.

The King’s Comet was landing back within the Exceed, Foosha and the other council members had been waiting in anger as the ship landed.

“Ryuu! We got found out.” Clef said. “Foosha is waiting!”

“Shoot! Let me do the talking!” Ryuu said as the ship landed.

Running out of the ship, Ryuu held his hands out.

“Okay okay! I know this looks bad.” Ryuu said.

“Bad? This is a whole lot worse than bad!” Foosha shouted. “You completely disregarded orders from the head of the council. That’s grounds for firing, is that what you want? Have you even thought about how your actions would affect your crew?”

Ryuu looked from Foosha to his crew. He took his hat off and looked down at the floor in shame.

“You’re right, I’m an idiot.” Ryuu said. “I put my entire crew in danger, just because I wanted to go see that signal…”

“Ryuu…” Clef said. “It’s not your fault…”

“No, I don’t want to hear it… it was all for nothing anyway.” Ryuu said as he took out the locator chip and the Cosmic Gem. “All we found was this junk…”

Foosha looked at what Ryuu had taken out and took it.

“You found a Cosmic Gem?” Foosha asked.

“Yeah, the guy we got it off said that it was called Boost.” Ryuu said.

“And this locator chip… it’s not any old locator chip.” Foosha said. “This is one of the five locator chips left behind by Rothmore.”

“Rothmore?!” Kidd shouted.

“He left behind locator chips?” Doc asked.

“Yes, he did… no one knows what they lead to, but if all five of them are used in a map console, they lead to something.” Foosha said.

“Rothmore, that’s the guy Ryuu is always talking about.” Scuttles said.

“Asterios Rothmore was a visionary in my generation. The greatest treasure hunter to ever live!” Foosha said. “This is the most progress we’ve made since our founding, where did you find it?”

“Oh we… just found it in an old camp.” Ryuu said. “Does this mean we’re not fired?”

“Well, I’m gonna say no for now… but you still disobeyed orders.” Foosha said. “You’ll still need to receive punishment.”

“Foosha, if I may.” Ramses said. “I might have an idea.”

“Let’s hear it, Ramses.” Foosha said.

“What if we continue on with the previous suspension? But, we also give Mr. Aka here the proper training.” Ramses said.

“He can train under each of us until we finish up with his training.” Suki stated. “No complaints from me.”

“I guess it’s fine…” Decid said. “So long as he listens.”

“He found a locator chip, so he’s good in my book.” Windy said.

“Security has been slammed, we could use the help.” The Avenix Councilman, Grendle, said. “Kid seems mostly level-headed.”

“Then it’s decided if it’s fine with you Ryuu. Will you be okay with training under us?” Foosha asked.

“If I finish my training? Will I be able to stay with the Adventurer’s Guild?” Ryuu asked.

“If you finish your training and pass graduation, then yes.” Foosha said.

“Then… I’ll do it!” Ryuu said. “But not for me, I’ll do it for my whole crew!”

Ryuu turned to his crew and smiled.

CHAPTER END!

Next Chapter - Building