Stage 2: Be Courageous, Daiki; The Ninja’s Debut

Hidden deep within a dark forest, a dilapidated, palatial mansion stood. Many would believe that the mansion was abandoned. They would be wrong. Hidden in the very heart of the mansion was a courtyard. A fountain in the center of the courtyard is where four beautiful women are gathered.

One was a woman in a blue dress with wavy black hair, another in a green dress with flowing brown hair, another in a red dress with hair matching her dress, and finally a woman with straight blonde hair wearing a yellow dress. They were each on the four corners surrounding the fountain, chanting a name.

"Thanatos. Hear us, our dark lord."

The water in the fountain began glowing a deep violet and a face appeared. "Free me, my Gem Witches. Release me so I may unleash Chaos on this disgusting world."

The woman in blue spoke up, "My lord, I, Aquamarine, have begun looking for the key to open the gate for you. But there was some interference."

"Who dares to stand against us?!" said Thanatos.

"Someone called Crusader Scorpio." answered Aquamarine.

"So," Thanatos said, "The Zodiac Crusaders are awakening. So far there's only one?"

"As far as I can see, Scorpio is the only one."

"Then, release me," Thanatos decreed, "Release me before that wretched brat awakens too. Once I unleash Chaos onto the world, those meddlesome Crusaders will not stand a chance."

"Yes, my lord," answered Aquamarine, "I have cast another Dark Spell to search for the key. If Crusader Scorpio should interfere, then he will find this fight a bit more challenging than before."

************

After dinner, Daiki and Cosmo had retired to Daiki's room where Daiki had some questions for his new grandfather.

"Ok, old man," Daiki began, "What the hell is going on here and how did you convince my family that you are our Grandpa?"

"Well to answer your questions, a great evil has appeared and is threatening the world. You have awakened as Crusader Scorpio and as a Zodiac Crusader, your mission is to protect humanity from this great evil as well as finding your fellow Crusaders and prepare the way for our Great Ruler. As for the second question, a little bit of magic to adjust their memories. Since you are the only Zodiac Crusader, I have to stay with you until our Great Ruler awakens."

"Who is this Great Ruler?"

Cosmo again was about to answer but something seemed to have clouded his memory. "I don't know. My memories are pretty clouded at the moment. I just know that there are twelve Zodiac Crusaders and our Great Ruler."

"So now what?" Daiki asked.

"Well for starters, we need to locate the others." Cosmo then threw a ball of sparkling energy at Daiki. Daiki's appearance suddenly changed. He now looked like a pop idol, with maroon hair.

"What is this?" asked Daiki as he saw his new look.

"This is your Idol Identity, Alex Sasori."

"Idol Identity?"

"After you vanquished that creature, I stayed behind and asked those men what they were doing there. They had told me they were looking for idols to be in their band. And it hit me. What better way for you to find your fellow Crusaders than being an idol? As an idol you can meet lots of people and I can sense who is a Crusader."

"And when you sense them we can recruit them."

"Now you get it." Cosmo said, "However; you need to keep both your Idol and Crusader Identities a secret."

"Eh?!" Daiki had so many hopes for his Idol Identity which were now destroyed by Cosmo's rule. "You mean I can't tell anyone? Not even Toma?"

"Not a single soul. We have no Idea who the enemy is and in order to protect you and your loved ones, your Identities must remain a secret."

Even though Daiki hated the rule, he understood how necessary it was. He almost lost Toma to Troll, he wouldn't forgive himself if Toma was hurt or killed by the enemy.

"Now use this." Cosmo handed Daiki a smartphone looking device. "The switch on the side there can change you between your Civilian Identity and Idol Identity. If the switch is on green, you are in Civilian mode, Red for Idol mode."

Daiki switched it from red to green and as Cosmo said, Daiki was back in his normal clothes and hair.

"Well," Cosmo said, "Off to bed, Daiki. We have a busy day tomorrow."

"We do?" Daiki asked, "But it's Saturday."

"We will have a fan meet and greet for your Idol Identity and see which Crusaders we can find."

"A meet and greet?" Daiki was both excited and nervous at the idea. However, he would need to say something to Toma, since Saturday was usually their day to hang out. A tradition they had every week since they started high school. He hoped that this new life of his would not affect his friendship.

************

Daiki texted Toma that he wouldn't be able to make it today. As much as he wanted to tell him what he was really doing, he couldn't stand lying to his best friend.

Is something wrong? Toma replied.

Daiki didn't know what to say. If he told Toma he was sick, Toma would come over to check up on him. If he had something to do with the family, Toma would get suspicious since his family normally would allow Toma to come along. School work is out of the question since they are in the same class. Daiki could not think of an excuse to tell Toma. There was only one thing he could think of.

Nothing's wrong. I got something to take care of. I promise I'll make it up to you.

Ok, fine. That was all Toma messaged back. He's definitely mad.

"C'mon Daiki," Cosmo called, "We have to get going."

"Coming." said Daiki. He picked up his bookbag and left with Cosmo.

************

"Ok," Cosmo said, "Switch to Idol Mode."

Daiki took out his phone and switched on Idol Mode and he immediately transformed into Alex Sasori. He was dressed in a royal blue school uniform shirt and white dress pants.

"Looking good," said Cosmo, "Now wait here until I call you."

There was a crowd of people who were curious as to who the next big star was. Many were just passing by and were curious to what was going on. Either way, Cosmo liked the crowd that had gathered.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Cosmo began, "I am happy to introduce to you the first member of our new band called the Magi-Boys. Here he is, Mr. Alex Sasori."

Daiki stepped out into the crowd and was immediately frozen with stage fright. The crowd applauded him and some were even screaming.

"Oh, he's so cute."

""He's such a dream."

So many fans complimented him and wanted to get his autograph. Daiki was overwhelmed with this. He always wanted to be an idol but now that his dream has come true, he was not prepared to handle his stage fright.

The moment was short-lived as a mysterious slime began oozing from the ground and began covering the fans. Their terrified screams immediately changed the atmosphere of the event and even Cosmo was caught.

"Alex," Cosmo shouted as he was being consumed. "Run and get help." he winked to indicate to Daiki to run and transform somewhere private.

Daiki ran backstage and looked around to see if there was anyone around. Once the coast was clear, he shouted, "Scorpio Constellation Power, Armor On."

Daiki was surrounded by shimmering energy and was transformed into Crusader Scorpio. He returned to see the slime had already consumed Cosmo and the crowd. It was a massive blob with crimson red eyes and a maw that somewhat resembled a mouth. Scorpio called for the monster's attention.

"How dare you ruin a star's debut and the chance for these fans to meet that star. Truly disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. I am the eighth warrior of the Zodiac, ruled by the planetary guardian deity, Pluto. I am the passionate boy clad in Heavenly Light, Crusader Scorpio. On behalf of the stars, your fate is sealed."

Blob growled angrily at Scorpio and threw up slime balls at Scorpio, who dodged the attack. The slime from the attack started to flow back to Blob.

Scorpio immediately called for his weapon and aimed it at Blob, careful not to hit anyone trapped inside. He could see those that were consumed floating around inside Blob. Blob continued its attack and Scorpio avoided them. Once a shot was clear, Scorpio charged his weapon, "Scorpio Harpoon Stinger," he shouted as he threw the stinger bolt at Blob which skewered it and Scorpio pulled his bolt back.

However Blob merely laughed as it was unaffected by Scorpio's weapon.

"What the?" asked Scorpio.

Taking advantage of his shock, Blob hit Scorpio with a slime ball and it immediately began consuming him.

"Oh no," Scorpio said as the slime incapacitated him. It slowly covered his body and he felt that the slime was dragging him towards Blob. "I have to…break…free." The slime completely covered him and he was being drawn into Blob.

A bright flash struck Blob's eye and it immediately liquified, releasing all of its victims. Scorpio managed to trudge out of the slime and regain his composure. What was it that saved him? Blob reformed and was screaming mad, however, it was missing an eye.

"That's it" Scorpio said as he readied his weapon again. "Scorpio Harpoon Stinger" He threw the bolt again only this time, it was Blob's remaining eye. Once the bolt punctured the eye, Blob began to shine and in a bright flash, Blob was no more.

"Finally." Scorpio sighed. Before he could make his way towards Cosmo, a voice called out to him.

"You may have won this battle Crusader Scorpio, but we will win the war."

Aquamarine appeared before Scorpio and threw a dark orb of blue energy towards him. Scorpio rolled out of its way and the energy orb caused a big explosion behind him.

"Who are you?" Scorpio asked.

"I am Aquamarine, Dark Gem Witch of water. You may have defeated my Dark Spells, but I assure you, I will destroy you."

"Not if I take you out first. Scorpio Harpoon Stinger." Scorpio threw his bolt towards Aquamarine who just raised her hand and the harpoon bolt froze in mid-air, then fell to the floor.

"Did you think that pathetic attack would stop me?" She said with a sinister smile. She summoned another orb of Dark energy and readied to hurl it towards Scorpio.

It was then that a bright flash struck Aquamarine's orb and caused her to retreat. "Another time, Crusader Scorpio." She said as she vanished into thin air.

Scorpio looked around to see what caused Aquamarine to flee. It was then he saw a glint of light from the floor. It was a golden shuriken shaped like a five-pointed star. Scorpio was about to touch it when it began to glow and it moved on its own. The shuriken flew into a nook covered in shadows.

"Be brave, Crusader Scorpio," said a voice, "You are not alone."

The owner of the voice revealed himself. He was a ninja dressed completely black, no markings or special designs. He held the shuriken in his hand.

"Who are you?" Scorpio asked.

"I am the mysterious boy, clad in Heavenly Darkness. I am the Star Ninja."

"Are you a Zodiac Crusader?"

"I don't believe so. Until next time." said the Star Ninja as he faded into the shadows.

"Wait!" But it was too late. "Thank you."

************

The Meet and Greet went on without a hitch, thanks to Cosmo's magic and Daiki's performance as Alex. He had signed so many autographs, took many pictures, and had a great time overall. Sadly, Cosmo did not sense any Crusaders.

"I'm curious about that Ninja fellow." said Cosmo.

"Could he be a Crusader?"

"Can't say," Cosmo answered, "But now we know who the enemy is. I will look into this and see what their goal is."

"In the meantime," Daiki took a picture of Alex and signed it. "I have some damage control I have to do with Toma." Daiki immediately left running "See you at home, Grandpa."

"Wait, Daiki." Called Cosmo, but Daiki was already gone.

Daiki didn't pay attention and he ran right into a familiar face.

"Hey 1024," said Daisuke, "You have to be careful who you run into."

"D-Daisuke." Daiki stuttered, "Sorry for bumping into you, but I'm in a hurry, I'll see you again ok?"

"Um ok" was all Daisuke could say.

"Uh um" was all that Daiki could say.

Daisuke noticed what Daiki had in his hand. "You look great in those pictures."

"Eh?!" Daiki exclaimed, "Wh-what do you mean?"

"Don't worry," Daisuke replied, "I won't tell anyone." He put his hand on Daiki's shoulder and leaned in close, their faces just inches away. "I'm good with secrets, Daiki-kun."

The sound of his name made Daiki gulp nervously. But for some reason, Daiki felt comfortable with Daisuke being informal with him.

Before he could respond, Daisuke ruffled Daiki's hair and said, "Take care, 1024." as he left.

"Just who is that guy?" Daiki asked.

************

"Hey Toma," Daiki called over the phone, "Where are you?"

"Why?" Toma replied, "I thought you were busy." A hint of anger still in his voice.

"I want to meet with you real quick and talk."

There was a long pause from Toma's end that made Daiki really nervous. That silence was broken when Toma sighed and said, "I'm at Castle Arcade."

"Wait there, I'll be right over."

Castle Arcade was their favorite hangout place and where Daiki was currently at, it was not too far. Daiki knew the area well and decided to take every shortcut he knew to get to the arcade. When he arrived, Toma was waiting at the entrance with his arms crossed and an annoyed look on his face.

"Toma," Daiki called out, "I'm sorry I couldn't make it today. I can explain."

Daiki handed the autographed picture to Toma, whose eyes immediately lit up when he saw it.

"You got an autograph from Alex Sasori?!"

Daiki was a bit confused by Toma's reaction. "Wait, you know who that is?"

"I was hearing about it on all my feeds and TV. Wait. You went to the Meet and Greet without me?"

"Hold on," Daiki replied, "That guy doesn't look familiar at all?" Daiki asked since Daisuke recognized him immediately.

"Not really," Toma said, "Was he at the audition with us?"

Strange, Daiki thought, Daisuke could tell that I was Alex, but Toma doesn't seem to recognize me as him.

"He was from our group." Daiki lied. "And yes, I went without you because I wanted to surprise you. I was afraid that since we didn't get chosen, you might feel sad so I went to get this autograph for you."

After hearing this, Toma rushed in and pulled Daiki in for a hug. "You idiot," he said, "I thought you felt bad about being rejected. I got this for you." 

Toma handed a gift bag to Daiki. In it were several books of manga. Daiki checked the titles and they were from his favorite series. "Mystic Hero, Black Mage!!!" Daiki could not contain his excitement.

Toma smiled knowing he made his best friend happy. "So," he said, "We still have some time. Do you want to play a few games?"

Daiki couldn't ask for anything more from this moment. He was glad that his best friend was here with him. All he could do was nod in approval and the two went inside to finish off the evening with some games.