Art of the Dark Master Roster
Chapter 1: Dragon's Plan
Dragon had hatched one of the most perfect schemes of all time. This included resurrecting Master Roster, the long deceased former master of the Valley which he once ruled before Dragon himself turned to go against the Valley dwellers. For this plan to succeed, Dragon had called upon Baboon and the elite ninja monkeys at the usual gathering place in the icy cavern prison.
"Master Dragon, what a pleasant surprise, what have you called for us for?" asked Baboon.
"You Baboon are going to prove me worthy this time" replied Dragon, "this time I want you to aid me in reviving Master Roster, the former leader of the Valley."
"What?!" cried Baboon to which he and some of the ninja monkeys began to tremble in fear, "But you know the sort of power Master Roster has. You witnessed it yourself before you went against your former friends in the Valley."
"Yes I know" replied Dragon, "but there is a magical jade emerald that would be able to help me control Master Roster's dangerous powers."
"And just where the heck can we and my ninja monkeys find this mysterious jade emerald you speak of?" asked Baboon.
"It's located on the other side close to the Valley" replied Dragon, "the jade emerald is said to be guarded by the mysterious Master Spider, whom is regarded as the guardian of the jade emerald."
"You mean my ninja monkeys are going to have to get entangled in a web of disaster?" asked Baboon.
"Yes" replied Dragon, "but is one weakness from Master Spider, and it's fire that can destroy his web of defense. If your ninja monkeys can use fire to destroy his defenses, you'll be able to acquire the jade emerald and give it to me. Then I'll be able to help revive Master Roster under mine control!"
"Seems like a good plan to me boss" said Baboon.
"Good, now don't fail me!" bellowed Dragon as he roared, Baboon and the ninja monkeys left the scene.
Meanwhile back in the Valley, what seemed like to be a fly was carrying quite a heavy letter. The fly handed the letter over to Panda who was meditating.
"Hmm" said Panda as he took the letter and began to read it, "seems like Master Spider has detected that Dragon might try to steal his jade emerald."
"Hey Panda, what's up?" asked Skunk as he came into the scene.
"Skunk" replied Panda, "Master Spider from the other mountain side has called upon us to defend his jade emerald. It says here his spies have gathered information that ninja monkeys and Baboon are prepared to steal the jade emerald to be used to control Master Roster's powers."
"Master Roster, but I thought he was just a myth" replied Skunk.
"Ah, don't think of stories of my former master to be so untrue" said Panda, "Master Roster was indeed quite corrupted by his powers. Quite in the similar manner as Dragon, but now that we have heard that Dragon is prepared to steal a magical emerald that would control the revived Master Roster's powers, this is something we certainly have to stop."
"So you want me to get everyone here so that we can go on a mission?" asked Skunk.
"Precisely" replied Panda as he nodded in response.
It just took only a few seconds for mostly everyone in the Valley to gather at the usual place on the hill to discuss the urgent business.
"So what's the big deal that's going on here?" asked Bird as he was rather quite impatient, "I was in the middle of my nap when Skunk interrupted me."
"Oh it is a big deal" replied Panda, "we have received word, of the hermit Master Spider has called upon outside help."
"You mean that old geezer?" asked Rabbit.
"Hey, watch who you're calling old" replied Master Turtle.
"I have heard rumors that Master Spider is very mysterious" replied Fox, "no one has ever seen him in person for over hundreds of years."
"This must mean that Master Spider is indeed of us, if some of his spies have reported of Dragon's plan" replied Master Turtle.
"Yes" replied Panda, "that is why I'm going to assign a team to ensure that Master Spider's jade emerald is protected."
"Are you going to choose me to be on the team?" asked Skunk.
"Hmm, let's see, who am I going to choose to be on this team for this mission?" thought Panda as he ignored Skunk's comments, "let's see, Rabbit, Master Turtle, Crane, Master Frog, Tiger and Duck."
"What, but what about me!" cried Skunk.
"Oh fine, if it would get you out of my hair" replied Panda, "but be warned, Master Spider is very specific on how to protect his defenses. He doesn't like anyone who fouls it up."
As the Valley members departed with the exception of those whom were ordered to go on the mission to defend Master Spider's den, and jade emerald, Master Turtle took charge in leading the way since he knew the path to Master Spider.
"Why do we always got to follow orders from old people?" sighed Rabbit as he followed Master Turtle.
"Excuse me, but it seems you don't know the motto of respecting your elders!" replied Master Turtle as he jabbed Rabbit with his stick on the head.
"So how far are we to Master Spider's place anyway?" asked Skunk.
"It's rather quite a long way up" replied Master Turtle.
"Most of us here have never been on the other side of the mountain where Master Spider resides" said Fox.
"Oh so true" added Master Turtle, "I believe that I was the one who managed to come over to these parts. I was young and foolish, so I accidentally got lost. The weather then came and it was rather quite cold. Master Spider was about to go into hibernation and gave me shelter for the winter while also providing protection for me, with his network of very sticky web."
"Is he quite big?" asked Skunk who was a bit afraid of spiders in general.
"Oh no" replied Master Turtle, "he's just about my size, but he's spun a lot of web."
"So are we even close?" asked Rabbit.
"We should rest here on this summit" replied Master Turtle as he signaled Crane, Tiger, Frog and Duck to setup camp.
"I just hope we don't run into any trouble while we're trying to head upward" sighed Tiger as he began to setup his tent.
But a few miles down not far from the party of Valley dwellers, a group of ninja monkeys led by Baboon were also camping for the night.
"You two" said Baboon as he went over to two ninja monkeys while the others were busy setting up camp, "I want you two to scout on ahead and report back to me."
The two monkeys responded by their usual sounds.
"I don't care if it's going to be nightfall, you do as you're told!" cried Baboon.