The morning sun was barely peeking through the trees, casting long shadows as the train rattled toward Clevergreen City. Kouchu Misako, still full of energy from his last adventure, couldn’t contain his excitement. His dream of becoming a Master Champion Crystal Brawler was beginning to take shape, and with Roaracryst by his side, he felt invincible—well, mostly.

  As the train sped along the tracks, the wide plains of Japan stretched out before him. Kouchu stared out the window, tapping his fingers on the glass.

  Kouchu (muttering to himself):

  “Clevergreen City… I’ve heard it’s the biggest city for Crystal Brawlers. This is where the real challenges begin!”

  Roaracryst, sitting beside him with a mischievous grin, nodded.

  Roaracryst (chirping):

  “Yep! Big city, big dreams! We’re gonna show ‘em all, Kouchu! They won’t know what hit ‘em!”

  Kouchu grinned back, his spirits high. But their peaceful journey was about to take a turn.

  ?

  Scene: Outside the Train Station in Clevergreen City

  As the train screeched to a halt, Kouchu and Roaracryst jumped off, ready to explore. The streets were bustling with people, the air filled with the sounds of street vendors and Brawler battles. Kouchu’s eyes sparkled as he took it all in.

  Suddenly, a shrill cry pierced the air, followed by the flapping of wings.

  Kouchu (looking up, startled):

  “Wha—what’s that?”

  From above, a large bird-like creature swooped down, its feathers glistening with the same strange glow Kouchu had seen in Crystal Monsters before. The creature, a Birdono, was snatching at Kouchu’s bag, pecking fiercely at it.

  Kouchu (yelling):

  “Hey! That’s my stuff!”

  The Birdono, seemingly delighted with the chaos, tugged harder, flapping its wings wildly as it attempted to fly off with Kouchu’s belongings.

  Roaracryst (jumping into action):

  “Not so fast, feathery thief!”

  The spider-like creature darted forward, his tiny legs moving with surprising speed. But just as Roaracryst was about to intercept the Birdono, Kouchu spotted something—a girl standing nearby, holding a set of Tutor CDs (家庭教師CD) in her hands. The girl’s expression was focused, yet panicked.

  Kouchu’s eyes narrowed as he connected the dots.

  Kouchu (smiling mischievously):

  “Wait a minute… if I take her CD, maybe Roaracryst can get stronger and stop that bird!”

  Without thinking twice, Kouchu lunged forward and snatched the pink-haired girl’s Tutor CD from her hands, holding it high as Roaracryst rushed toward the Birdono.

  Kouchu (shouting):

  “Roaracryst, use the CD! Power up!”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Roaracryst, now glowing with newfound energy from the CD, charged at the Birdono. The bird, startled by the sudden power boost, let out a shriek and took off into the sky, abandoning Kouchu’s belongings in the process.

  Kouchu turned to look at the girl, his chest puffed out with pride.

  Kouchu (grinning):

  “See? I did it! Roaracryst stopped it!”

  But the girl, pink hair now flowing in the breeze, was not impressed. Her eyes narrowed as she stomped over to Kouchu.

  Shauna Genga (hot-headed):

  “Excuse me, you thief! That was my CD!”

  Kouchu blinked, surprised by her reaction.

  Kouchu (laughing nervously):

  “Oh, come on! It worked, didn’t it? I thought… I thought you’d be happy that I stopped the bird!”

  Shauna crossed her arms, her fiery temper flaring.

  Shauna (sharply):

  “You stole my CD! Do you have any idea how much those cost? I use them for tutoring, not for some crazy monster battle! You can’t just take things without asking!”

  Kouchu scratched the back of his head, his sheepish smile showing just how out of his depth he was.

  Kouchu (apologetic):

  “I didn’t mean to—uh, I just… wanted to stop the bird, and… well, I thought it was a good idea!”

  Shauna huffed in frustration, her cheeks flushed with anger.

  Shauna (exasperated):

  “You’re impossible!”

  Kouchu, feeling genuinely bad, followed her as she stormed off, trying to get her to forgive him.

  Kouchu (calling after her):

  “Hey! Wait! I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to steal your CD! I’ll make it up to you somehow!”

  Shauna gritted her teeth, quickening her pace, but Kouchu wasn’t going to give up that easily.

  ?

  Scene: A Sudden Encounter with Menace Five

  As Kouchu continued to trail Shauna through the city, he heard the unmistakable sound of battle in the distance. The roar of Crystal Monsters clashing, the buzz of energy attacks in the air—it was chaos.

  Kouchu (shouting):

  “What’s going on over there?”

  Shauna froze, her expression hardening as she looked in the direction of the commotion.

  Shauna (grimly):

  “Those jerks… Menace Five.”

  Kouchu’s eyes widened. The same group that had caused trouble back in Justice Town?

  Sure enough, Julia Denoku, Kathern Honika, Genuan George, Hiyon Morki, and Katie Moshika were standing around a struggling Crystal Monster, a small rainbow-powered creature with delicate, shimmering fur—Mouselette. The Crystal Monster was barely holding on, its vibrant colors dimming with every blow it took.

  Julia Denoku (mocking):

  “Not even a cute little thing like this is worth our time. But we can still have some fun.”

  Kouchu clenched his fists, the weight of the situation sinking in. Shauna’s voice cut through his thoughts.

  Shauna (angrily):

  “We have to help it. They’re going to hurt Mouselette!”

  Kouchu turned to her, determination now in his eyes.

  Kouchu (gritting his teeth):

  “Right. We can’t let them get away with this.”

  Without hesitation, Kouchu rushed forward, Roaracryst following closely behind.

  Roaracryst (charged up and ready):

  “Let’s do this, Kouchu! I’m stronger now, thanks to the CD!”

  The two of them charged at the Menace Five, who turned around, sneering.

  Kathern Honika (smirking):

  “Back for more? You’re just as annoying as last time.”

  Hiyon Morki (laughing):

  “Looks like they’re in a hurry to get destroyed.”

  But Kouchu wasn’t backing down. With a determined yell, he shouted for Roaracryst.

  Kouchu:

  “Roaracryst! Use your speed—now!”

  Roaracryst dashed forward, his tiny legs moving at lightning speed. He quickly leaped onto the back of the stunned Mouselette, lifting the small Crystal Monster to safety. Kouchu ran in close, standing protectively in front of Shauna and Mouselette.

  Kouchu (defiantly):

  “You’re not hurting anyone today!”

  After a brief but intense battle, the Menace Five realized they were outmatched for the moment and retreated, their plans once again foiled.

  ?

  Scene: Shauna’s Acceptance

  Shauna, her face softening after the battle, looked at Kouchu with a mix of gratitude and skepticism.

  Shauna (reluctantly):

  “…You really do care about Crystal Monsters, don’t you?”

  Kouchu smiled, his usual goofiness replaced by a more serious, sincere expression.

  Kouchu (nodding):

  “Of course I do. They’re not just monsters—they’re partners. Friends.”

  Shauna glanced at him for a long moment, before finally nodding, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

  Shauna:

  “Alright, fine. You’re not so bad, Kouchu. You really did save Mouselette. I guess… I guess I’ll travel with you. Just… don’t steal my CDs again!”

  Kouchu grinned widely, feeling like he had just won a major victory.

  Kouchu (cheerfully):

  “Deal! Thanks, Shauna!”

  Roaracryst, now comfortably perched on Mouselette’s back, chirped happily.

  Roaracryst (excitedly):

  “New friend! New adventure!”

  As the group walked together, ready for whatever came next, Kouchu realized something important. The journey to becoming a Master Champion wasn’t just about battling— it was about the connections you made along the way.

  And this was just the beginning.

  ?

  End of Episode 2.