"Listen, all I'm saying is that with more boosters, we can go faster! We can probably set them up as cannons to shoot at people if they tried to get close or if we want to steal a win!"
"And risk losing the ability to control the ship itself? It's built like a hollow arrow! One shot, and we're gonna be veered off course like crazy! We need proper drift and grip in our flight here! That's where the angles are for!"
Stolas and Applin keep up their arguments, being exaggerated with their hand movements as if to help emphasize their point. Solomon was still keeping notes, drawing their own ship and coming up with names for their own team. Nothing but chicken scratch on the paper, however, with each name abandoned for one reason or another: 'Team Strength -> That's gonna get us targeted more.' 'Team Victory -> Same as above.' 'Team Fang -> Not everyone here is a Vampire, Applin.' The Biblical Sorcerer scratches his head as he tried to get a proper connection, before noticing over and seeing a ship from the farther side of the circle. "Hey! Shh! Look!" He'd gesture pointing towards such large masses before them. The children went quiet, peering over to see such machines. Each one was a massive ship, designed after an insect, a proper team-up between such figures.
A Wasp
A Beetle
A Butterfly
A Grasshopper
A Praying Mantis.
The stilts they had for legs housed the necessary boosts, and some parts seem to have hinges, allowing them to be pulled back, assuming it was some sort of protection maneuver for when they get up. "They made five ships? This feels like overkill, doesn't it?" Solomon asked, unaware of Applin obsessing over the insect-like designs, smiling as she tried to see if she can sneak in, prompting Shady to hold her down.
"OH C'MON! ITS A SHINY BUG! I WANNA SEE THE SHINY BUG!! PRETTY PLEEEEEEASE!!!" She'd beg, practically at her knees and pleading as much as possible. It was clear she was more interested in the ships themselves, and while he does share the same desire, he knows well not to intrude on one's property.
Stolas, meanwhile, noticed over the blueprints that made it, as well as the material used. A type of iron that is malleable enough to bend and dent without worrying about proper damages, with sparks made when clashing with one another. "It's like a giant action figure. You think this must've came from that toy shop?" He'd ask. Before Solomon was able to answer, he'd be interrupted by a loud voice.
"HAH! AS IF WE'D LET OUR MASTER'S DESIGN BE TARNISHED BY SUCH 'TOYS'! THEIR PLASTIC IS FAR TOO WEAK AGAINST OUR PLATI-AMOND!"
Caught off guard, lights come down from the ship's fronts, all of them aimed and shone down to the five pilots in this team. The children were quick to huddle back and keep watch, being overwhelmed with a loud orchestra of strings, woodwinds and percussions, almost like a living fanfare. Each member began to strike a pose as they introduced themselves. "The Shining Stag that Tackles the Sun! Kyomoe Kozen, KonchuRed!"
"The Yellow Hornet that Pierces the Earth! Shioda Shinaga! KonchuYellow!"
"The Blue Kick that Jumps over the Sky! Villia Vieyasu! KonchuBlue!"
"The Green Sword that Devours Life! Yaveh Yohitsune! KonchuGreen!"
"The Rosy Moth that Soothes Death! Yasuke Yomai! KonchuPink!"
"The Blade of Triumph! The Hope after Despair! The Light after Destruction!"
"我々の剣を研ぎ澄ます! より明るい未来のために!!"
"Shogun Sentai! Musa-Shiasher!!!"
Silence. Awestruck by their performance. Stolas would nudge at Solomon a bit and whispered calmly "I like these guys..." before properly introducing himself. "Hi!! So you guys are Team Pandora, huh? Nice to meet you all! You usually this flashy in introductions?"
The Man with a red jacket and helmet would laugh triumphantly, as if he was already victorious before the race even began proper. "Of course we are! When given a proper introduction, one must announce themselves to everyone! If a fool wishes to ignore such a call, only they are responsible for deafening their own ears!"
The Woman in a blue jacket and jeans would chuckle alongside, holding the man in red close. "Kozen's right~! What would the point be in presenting oneself? The style, the make-up, the shoes even! Every part of us is there to present! If we do not announce ourselves, we can't get more eyes on us, hmm?"
The Man in Green with scars across his arms and over one of his eyes would groan, patting at the Woman's shoulder. "Villia... what did we said about promoting your fashion to strangers? We specifically said not to do that unless they asked us."
"Does this not count as-"
"NO!"
The Woman in Yellow was quick to break them up, her silver gloves holding them back. "Hey! Hey! Let's not get into a fight here! Kids are watching! The last thing I want is for someone like my son to see us as a bad influence here, so you knuckleheads simmer down, got it?" She'd demand, prompting the two to quiet down once they recognized their faults.
The Man in Pink with gold dentures for his teeth that housed a beautiful artwork of a garden would chuckle, his dark skin glistening alongside the sun, as if he was under cool water for a while. "Any more and you'll be giving our beautiful Shioda some gray hairs here. Relax yourselves, why don't you?" He'd praise, letting him reach quick into their base to bring out some refreshments: Sodas and Water for everyone to have a piece, before quickly turning towards the kids. "So, I assume you're looking for an alliance? Consider this our warm welcome to you all for being in this tournament. Heaven knows you're gonna be in for a rough ride."
"Alliance?" Solomon asked, to which Kyomoe was quick to reply, as if he was anticipating such a question, flicking his long hair and letting it flow.
"But of course! In races like these where we deal with such treacheries, one must find partners in every corner! We are a prime example of that, bonding with those without strength so they can be given a true fighting chance at this wicked life we're forced to endure! That is what our Master taught us, after all! He's our Shogun!"
"Huh... fair enough. Ripping the band-aid here, are you guys from Calibren or something? Your clothes are-"
"Special? Of course! Made with the finest silk and denim to give it the rugged feel and-" Villia's mouth gets covered by Yaveh as he pipes up.
"He means where we LIVE, Lil' Miss Vi-Chiko! Jeez, its every day you wanna get people in your brand. As for your question, kid, nah. Been dealing with some rough times on the settlements outside of this Circle here. Supposedly a Dark King set to end the world in some batty prophecy. Hogwash, in my eyes. Sounds to me like he's a coward who can't handle living life to the fullest proper. Probably needs some therapy above all else."
"Yeesh... Surprised you can get away with slandering Sozo's name like that." Stolas commented, to which Yaveh would scoff and set up a table to act as a seat.
"HAH! Screw that 'Sozo', then! Why be so pessimistic and kill the world over it? It's got hardships, yeah, but if you can't stomach the idea of persevering on, then you shouldn't try to drag others down with you! Shogun-sama said it best: 'Even when there's no light, let your swords spark and make a glimmer before you. The faintest light can still be your hope if you keep it alight.'"
"Spoken truth, my friend!" Yasuke praised, raising his Soda up high, trying to do cheers for the others, but they politely chose not to.
"Well, we're just looking for some materials for our ship. Think we can borrow some here? We can repay you back in the race if need be!" Applin asked, already quick on the draw for bargaining, as her eyes keep veering over to the massive vehicles, one which Solomon keeps holding her steady. The two boys were puzzled as to why she asked such a request, but another confident laugh out of Kyomen was enough for an answer.
"But of course! We'll be sure to remind you to cash in this favor. Take as much as you want, our construction is already set and prepared for launch! Best of luck to you all, and may the Shogun's sword guide your hand to victory, my little friends!" He'd shout, snapping his fingers to let the tables quickly lift up, accidentally launching away Yaveh to the ground, as the legs and body act like a horse to follow the children off to their base proper. A style of magic over furniture and objects like it.
What an odd style.